Look who has another 4g63 question! :P

I have yet to take a timing light to the old 1g beater and she's running a bit rich (soot on the rear clip). I know how to set base timing from the Chiltons, and it says to aim for 5* BTDC. (Remember, this is a 1GNT ATX.)

Is there any point to maybe setting it elsewhere to pick up a little more power? Of more interest to me would be if I could advance it a hair to maybe lean things out and run her cleaner? I dunno. Just looking for some ideas here. I don't even have a timing light, but I'd like to get her tuned this weekend before my trip to Kansas this Monday.

Thanks!

B