First time out

What were the 60' times?
3500 converter but is it 8, 9, 10" as each will react different and can require different launch techniques
timing? initial and full advance, in at what rpm?
jetting?

Don't get discouraged by initial passes and an et slower than what you think you should run. My Duster is one of the slowesr cars I have owned that required me to do the most amount of tuning and modification, but you learn alot from that. There are many factors that can effect your timeslip. You just need to focus on one at a time and correct each individually.

First, and most important, make sure it is safe before worrying about the et's. Fix the driveshaft vibration so you don't end up in the wall or worse.