Thanks for the answers. I have a few quick clarifying questions.

BTDC is advanced timing right?
ATDC is ? timeing

is initial timing the timing at the warmed up "curb" idle?

What is and how do I check total timing? is that just reving the engine to 3000 and checking the timing?

I didn't know that timing changed with rpm. if so that must be why adjusting the curb idle first is important.

"dieseling on hot days" is that where the car continues to run even after turning it off? I thought that was a sign of a vacuum leak though of course more than one thing can be a cause just confirming my old logic.