OPINION ON DISTRIBUTOR

downsr said
The initial and the mechanical which i have it set at totals 36 degrees and is where i would like to leave it.Now to get the total which is equal to the initial +mechanical +the vacuum advance if your a running a vacuum advance canister which in my case adds 20 degrees at the crank which is non adjustable.So my total is 56 degrees when it is all in at 2500.(20 + 16 + 20)= 56 degrees.I do not know if this would be to much timing(56) .So its limit the vac advance with a screw, plate or what ever or go to dist that has an adjustable vac.Or if 56 degrees is not to much leave it alone.I just read what rustyratrod wrote if 56 degrees is not to high i should be fine.Never could find any thing on this

MSD:Tech - Set your Timing - Learn everything to know about ignition timing

excerpt: "Total timing is the term given to the highest amount of advance. This is when the initial timing is added to the mechanical timing. For instance, if an engine has 10° of initial combined with 21° of mechanical, the total timing is 31° BTDC. Note that Total timing never includes vacuum advance."

because of this:

abodyjoe said
when you go full throttle the dist will go full mechanical advance because the vac drops out.

...so unless you've done something to your distributor, MSD says the vacuum can adds only 10*...

All that being said, RRR and Joe already covered all the important parts for you.