440 Help Needed

[1] Piss off the Holley & refit the AVS
[2] Because engine A runs on pump gas, it does not mean that engine B will too.
[3] The 455 Olds has the longest stroke of all the big blocks.
[4] What does that mean? Here is a quote from the Sig Erson cam catalog. Note: this quote is ONLY in the Mopar 440 section, no others. "...beware of too much duration.."

The short stroke of the 440 does not tolerate cam duration very well. Not surprised that it likes 25* init/idle timing & in fact it will probably idle better with 35-40*. You get this by using about 10-20* static & add the rest of the timing by using an adjustable vac adv unit [ Allen Key fully CW ] connected to a MANIFOLD vacuum source to add the remaining timing. Tee-ing into the brake booster fitting is OK for this.
Example, highest idle speed is achieved with 32* idle timing. You could use, say, 15* initial & add 17* via the VA unit. Most adj VA units have a 30* range, so you would have to fabricate a stop to limit the travel of the actuator.
Until you get the idle timing dialled in, you will never get the best performance that the engine/cam/carb are capable of...

Eye watering gas smell. The dist mods ^ need to be done BEFORE touching the carb. Hook up the PCV as the factory had it. Drill a 3/32" hole in each sec throttle blade [ NOT the pri blades ]. With timing sorted as above, get the engine idling correctly. Remove carb & check transfer slot showing below pri blades. Should be 0.040" or less, less preferred. If more than 040, enlarge the holes in 1/64" increments until the gaps is 020-040". It would be a good idea to enlarge the Idle Feed Restriction 0.002".