Mike,
If the plugs are white the carb is too LEAN . they should idealy be light brown .. it all is logical ..you say it idles at 1700 , thats too high .. Ok couple things on the HOLLEY ..
1. put a vacumn guage on the port on the carb ( not intake ) the side of the Fuel block there is a plug or maybe a 1/8" vacumn connection .. example if it reads 7.0 then you need a 5.0 power valve ..always 2.0 less then a vacumn gugae at aporx 1200 rpm. Also if the motor backfired out of the carb ..the power vlave is shot .. dont beleive the BS that the carb has an anti backfire kit in it.
2. the accelerator pump lever .. needs to have .015 play in it .. if not tighten the 3/8 nut on top and hold the bottom until its jingles .. you may be in the acceleration stage causing this.
3.add more timing .. where is it set initial .. push it up .. turn it advanced until the motor sounds like it will stall then turn it back slightly and try it then and make sure you have new fuel, fuel goes bad in a month ... also check the fuel filter.
4. The lifters are solids they should be set COLD at about .021 .. if they are too tight this also could be a problem.
5. fireing order has to match the CAM .. I think your on the new FIRING ORDER if its a crate motor you definately ARE using the new firing order. Be careful ... you need some history
To me sounds like you have a hot motor that wants FUEL and Timing ..
Ron