TIMING FIRST

1. Is the vacuum advance disconnected? Is it connected to the correct port on the carb? You do not want a buch of vacuum advance at idle.

2. On a '79 Corvette the #1 plug wire goes to the first post clockwise from the wire extension when looking at the distrubitor from the top. Is that where your's is? That provides clearance to move the vacuum can away from the top of the manifold.

3. Is your mechanical advance working?

4. Set your timing to about 12 degrees before top dead center as a start.

When these issues are addressed take the car out of another trial run and see if all or any of your problems still exsist.