Basic Tuning: HELP!

Ok so I now have my Valiant running and have been driving the crap out of it for the last 3 days.
What I have noticed is that it needs to be "tuned" badly now.
So I am asking the experienced people to please give me some advice, from step one.
Where should I start?
What tools do I need?
What order should the steps happen in?
I know enough to get her running fairly well, but it is pinging, and seems under powered.
Here is where we will start.

360
-Stock Crank, Rods, Pistons.
-318 stock heads (yeah I know.... I have a set of J-heads to get rebuilt) :)
-Mild Cam. (don't have the specs anymore) Do remember it wasn't stock and its not real crazy. basically an "RV" if you want to call it that.
-Carb. 650 manual Choke Edelbrock.
-Functional Hood scoop (gets plenty of fresh air)
-Ignition, 74' stock MOPAR electronic ignition Swapped from a Dart. Cap, rotor, plugs and wires have recently been replaced. May have 200 miles on the set.
-Stock 904 Trans.
- 8-3/4 SG 3:23 gears. (doesn't really matter yet I suppose)

So please if you have good solid knowledge reply. Maybe if this ends up with good solid input it can become a "STICKY" on how to tune basics from square one.
Because a lot of us have "mis-matched" components from different years, Im sure I'm not the only novice who doesn't know which Timing setting to go with since I have several different items that will be affected.

Case in point: I have a 73' 360 with 74' ignition, and the most basic Carb set up(not like all the vaccum operated items from 73/74). So when I look in an old school Chiltons manual, I have so many options on where I should start with for a "base" timing. At this point it runs, so I have obviously managed that, and it will light the tires no problem too, but its still not running up to its potential.

Please if you have a good solid history on tuning (not back yard stuff, that's what I know already!:cheers:) then please fill me and others in. It will be very appreciated and used!


Thanks FABO! You all kick so much tail its ridiculous!