1968 340 timing

SorryAJ, I disagree about the "can't have too much initial timing"
Most certainly can. See people do it all the time.
With an automagic transmission, I agree we can get close to most efficiency by minimizing rpm loss and vacum drop, when going from idle into drive.
And we still need to play the balancing game with the fuel mix as well as the timing.
With a stick its more difficult to tune a hot engine for more power at idle since we can't easily give it a consistant load.