Auto Racing: 302 setup., cfm holley, flat tops

Question
Hi,

I've recently rebuilt my 302 (1978) and find that it lacks bottom end torque. Here's the scoop:

Cam 0.496" int & 0.520" ext, 224º & 234º dur.
Dual Plane manifold, 600 Holley vac sec, headers, 4.10 posi, No stall (darn), stock flat tops, 66 289 heads (58cc, ported).

Should this combo make good torque, or do I need a stall converter to realize its potential?

Answer
hI ,YOU'VE ALMOST ANSWERED YOUR OWN QUESTION,CAM AND CONVERTER CHOICE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS,A QUICK CHECK WOULD BE TO FIND AN OPEN ROAD GET THE CAR INTO HIGH GEAR AT THE SLOWEST SPEED,HIT THE THROTTLE AND WATCH THE TACH,THE ENGINE WILL"COME ON THE CAM"(REALLY START TO ACCELERATE).NOTE THAT RPM AS A STARTING PLACE FOR STALL SPEED RPM.I'D GET THAT 600 CARB OFF OF THERE TOO,I'D TRY A 750 3310 HOLLEY(WITH THOSE SHORT CONNECTING RODS YOU CAN USE THIS MUCH CARB) OR WHEN YOU GET A CONVERTER IN THERE A #4777 650 CFM HOLLEY WOULD BE JUST RIGHT.DOES THE IGNITION HAVE A STOCK ADVANCE CURVE? THAT'S ANOTHER BIG ONE .I LIKE TO SEE 18 DEGREES INITIAL (IDLE ,ABOUT 1000 RPM) GOING TO A MAXIMUM OF 35 DEGREES BY 2000 RPM.STOCK DISTRIBUTORS NEED WELDING TO ACHIEVE THIS THANKS AND GOOD LUCK JMAZIO