I saw your post on Pirate too. Go to this link.
http://www.binderbulletin.org/forums/showthread.php?t=47254
In there is directions on how to make it work along with the rest of your questions.
What exactly is it your trying to do anyways?
I have always had good luck with the hei. Thats all.
I have TBI and a Mallory HEI on my 401. NO timing control (by the tbi computer) but i think the new Howell kits do have timing control now.
Afforable-fuel-injection's TBI kits come with an HEI ditributor with full ECM control.