My initial timing (without VA) is set to 32 degrees. Mechanical advance is limited to 16 degrees and is all in by 3500 rpm (silver springs on a billet Pertronix). Anytime rpm is above 3500 my total timing is 48.
At a 2000 rpm cruise with 15-20 in vacuum, I may as much as 32 initial + 16 VA + 10 mechanical = 58 with no surging or pinging.
I am going to check the TDC mark on the balancer again and make sure it is accurate, but I think it is. I have an MSD ignition, so timing light could be off, but I have checked timing with both an old Craftsman induction light and a new Innova adjustable light. They both read the same.