I think it's compression is much higher especially if it's wanting that much initial timing. And who would put together a motor with that cam with low compression...
Low compression engines demand less timing. High compression engines don't need a lot. His problem is the reverse of what it would be with too much compression.
Now, if perhaps he had a 383 distributor in it and it was spinning backwards, that might explain it. I've seen that one first hand.
