Quote Originally Posted by pnut
Timing at startup = 6 degrees (at 2000 rpm, with vac line hooked up)


OK, so 5 minutes into my 20 minute cam breakin, the crossover pipe gets RED hot. I mean fire poker red hot.
You are running very retarded which will cause your exhaust to get cherry red very quickly.

At 2000 RPM your mechanical advance should have given you a figure much greater than the 6 degrees you posted.

You should have around 12 degrees BTDC at idle (600-750 RPM) with the vacuum advance hose dis-connected and plugged.

Reset the timing.

Other things to check but unlikely at this point given the info you posted. Very lean condition. Major vacuum leak which would cause a very lean condition. Are all the vacuum ports on the carb and the intake manifold hooked up or blocked off?