I like 1st gear myself, it's the 'danger' thing you see...
Being as I'm running a VACUUM ADVANCE MSD there is a way I can lower my idle speed. Simply hook up the vacuum advance, which will speed up the idle rpm well above my current 1000-1100 and then adjust the mechanical idle speed screws on the carb to bring the speed BACK to a 1000 rpm. Now when I shut down the engine the throttle plates close off more completly, making it difficult for the still turning over engine to draw in additional air/fuel through the carb. No air/fuel, no detonation, engine simply quietly stops.
I DID have this setup before and it worked great. But lately I've been 'messing with the timing' and have currently disconnected the vacuum advance. When I get the base and mechanical advance dialed in (darn close now) I'll revisit the vacuum advance issue and that will totally solve my current 'run on' condition and STILL allow for a 1000-1100 rpm idle.
I switched to a flat tappet after my solid roller ate a lifter for lunch, by the way...
