The only MANDATORY number is the total mechanical advance number, that can NOT be more than 38° BTDC. Then depending on your advance curve in the dist. You can run up to whatever initial timing will not push the Total Mechanical Advance over that 38°. Initial timing is a BS number so that the unknowing can set their timing and still not know a damn thing about ignition timing.

 

ok now i have it at 14 degrees at idle,the centrifugal advance of the dist. is 24 degrees and i checked at 4000rpm i read 38 degrees.
but i still have 13 of vacuum and a bit of valvetrain noise.i adjusted the rockers 1/2 turn past zero.and everything up there is new or rebuilt.
i just dont know where else to look.