Running the hood helps keep the air going into the carb. more consistently than with no hood
You already knew that though, didn't you
Put it back on now
You will have to retune the carb. with the new glass hood with the scoop
The old plugs with the hood on are a lot like I like to see in my motors
On your AFR readings I like to see mine leaner than yours are, I like and tune for 14.5 or leaner at idle, 12.8 to 13.6 on light part throttle cruise and around 12.5 to 13.3 at WOT depending on the fuel being used at that time, these are with the motor, trans and rear end at running temps for normal driving
As far as total timing I haven't found any BB Mopar motors, race or street and strip, that liked or ran faster with anything above 36 degrees :shruggy
Most of them liked and ran the best at 34 degree total timing with my timing lights the way I see them
That is with the timing marks on the timing cover and balancer verified as being actually zero at top dead center also