Yes, I modified the ballast resistor like you said and put a piece of wire in there, so far it is working and looks factory. I believe I do have the timing set BTDC, I adjusted it by the way it sounds and runs. Going to try to get it better tomorrow.

It's a stock 383 4bbl with 129k miles, I don't think the engine's been rebuilt. I know the carb is the original one but I'm not sure if it's ever been rebuilt either. I'm not necessarily afraid of trying to rebuild it, it is more the tuning that worries me.