initial: with "vacuum gauge method". total: 36-38. springs: any combo that puts you just under the pinging point at WOT up thru the gears on your hottest/driest day no matter where (RPM) that makes the springs max out at. IN ORDER & if the vac gauge method when done makes the starter cranky when hot then reduce the initial timing 1 degree (not the in hg vac #) & repeat as needed (reducing it another 1 degree of timing if need be). EDIT then plug in/adj vac adv if used