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You didn't mention the cam in the engine. If it's an aftermarket cam with more-than-stock valve overlap, you might need a lot more than 10* initial timing...like 15 to 18.
If that's the case, you might have the curb idle screw cranked too far open, exposing too much of the transition slot, causing the rich condition you describe.

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this is what we've been missing. thank you Jimmy