Stupid Distributor Questions

Still not getting it better, eh George? Did you at least fix the Vette? :D Sometimes a new pair of eyes will help with insights you're blocked on.
My buddy was here with his 65 396 Vette last Saturday. The guy wasn't here for 15 minutes and the car was all set. Ran like a raped ape! Front float level way too low, idle mixture screws were set by ear instead on a vacuum gauge, and I set his initial timing to 10ยบ. Car ran like a clock when he left, but I can't fix my own freakin car.
Anyway.....

George