305 Timing

I have an 1980 Corvette with a lame 305. When I bought it I had no power in the low end, New edelbrock 600 carb, performer intake, stock exhaust with new flow masters, stock cam. when I advance the timing I have lots of power but then it wont start. I turned the distributor back one tooth and now have more power and it starts better but NOW when I put the timing light on it, the mark on the damper is way past advance and I can't move it back far enough to reach the guage I have also checked TDC and the marks seem to line up on the guage.
HELP!!  

Undo your changes and get out your timing gun. Your stock timing is between 4-6deg BTDC. You can get away with 8-10deg. With the vaccum adv. disconnected and plugged, adjust the timing and lock the distributor. Not much more to gain without headers and more motor.  

Thanks JW454..I found out that someone installed the wrong damper. I found TDC and made a new mark on it and it's now dead on at 6-deg..your right.. not much I can do even when it's running good, anyone want to donate a 350  

I too have a 80 Corvette, though I would never call one Lame. But I guess it's all about what you've had before. I have the 305 CA engine in it. Rebuilt 2 years ago keeping pretty much stock, though I've thrown a Holly on it and added Hooker headers and matching side pipes. Pleant of power to get me in trouble if not careful, though no comparison to the newer ones out there. It has plenty of get up and go and will agree with "JW454" on adding headers to it. Big difference in both sound and power. The Hooker package set me back about $1200 through Summit, but feel that i got my moneys worth. Just make sure you have a reputable muffler guy do the welding of the nub for the O2 sensor, a bad job will bring big probs.  

Wouldn't that be a dream come true Mailman, but I'm glad you made some progress on your vette.  

If its power you want throw in a 383 stroker, I did and never looked back. You can rebuild till your blue in the face with that 305 and costly. I never did understand why they would put such a sucky engine in a vette anyway,I guess it was the sign of the times.