Help needed with 318 (timing, ruff starts)

When the engine is cold [under 100*] in the morning open the hood, remove the air cleaner, the choke should be 1/4 closed. Move the throttle about half way. The choke plate should slam shut. Open the choke plate and look down into the the carb. Hit the throttle. You should see two squirts of gas. Then start the car. The choke plate should open to ~3/4 closed. There is a dimension for this adjustment or you can move the plate manually to get it to the right adjustment. This may take a few tries.