[bobcowan]

Base timing should be wherever you get best vacuum. Different builds - especially different cams - will require different base timing settings. But best vacuum will be about right for just about every motor.

Once the engine is good and hot, make sure it will start right away. If it seems to stutter and bog down while cranking, back the timing off another 2* or so until it starts easily.

Once base timing is set, adjust the advance until you get 35* total at 4,000 rpm - just as your builder recommends.

You might be able to make more power by changing you total advance curve. But you'll need a dyno to do that accurately. Unless you're racing and need every last bit of power, there's really no need to do that.