this isn't a writeup as such, but lets start a thread of nonspecific tricks that we've all picked up through trial and error, might make a good read for newbs.

here's one to start it off:

** if a small change does worse, but seems logical, try a big one! things do not respond linearly on these sketchy ol' engines, and sometimes the sweet spot is buried.

that has been my biggest mistake.

for example if it idled ok at 900 rpm and the afr was good, and got rough at 750, try 650! try 600! try less timing, more timing, less or more fuel. maybe you just hit a nasty overlap point at 750, or a rough spot in engine balance, who knows? experiment or you'll never know.

if it ran well at 30 deg adv in cruising range 'and it didn't like 34, and felt like surge, screw it, try 40! hell try 45 see what happens. remember guys ran total vac advance at 50-55, don't be afraid of it, it'll tell you if it liked it or not.