So, i replaced the distributor and timed the engine by ear (i am gonna get it timed w/ a light eventually as soon as my friend has some time). Its tuned to operate smoothly at 20-30 mph (i dont have a tachometer). Would this affect the rough idling?

It doesn't affect starting, as i can still goose it fine off a light, and it has the same, if not more power than before i replaced everything. I just think that it might be affecting my mpg. Sometimes i hear a clucking from the engine for 15 seconds as well.

I don't know how low exactly it is, but idle drops as soon as the engine is warm.

 

Your timing can affect the idle if its not set right, also a really worn out timing chain will affect the idle, a vaccume leak can affect your idle and a bad TPS can affect your idle, so many thing affect the idle, so you just have to check things out one at a time.

 

after the engine warms up and everything is dialed in... (whoops... did I say everything?)...
you jumper the diagnostic plug, and THEN set the idle and timing.

 

jumper the diagnostic plug?