Holley Help Needed

Graham, first for now who cares what the initial timing is, just set it the total to what it runs best with and then find a way to increase the initial to the point where it'll still turn the motor over without the compression fighting the starter.
Example 25*initial and 34* total.

Try the lightest spring in the vac secondary spring kit and go from there increasing the stiffness till it doesn't bog at wide open throttle.
Gotta go get back at you later.