Like I said jut keep advancing it untill you get spark knock under load then back it of just a little until the spark knock goes away. You can do it without a timing lite. 34-36* total is just a referance point. every engine is diffrent and I usually end up tuneing it by ear. I use a timing lite to get it close because I have one but i've done lots without one also. I will hold the rpms at 2500-3000 and adjust the dist untill it starts to change tone or labor a little then I back it off a little untill it is smooth the test drive and check for spark knock. Just do it you won't hurt anything. If you have a spring kit for the mechanical advance try to set it for full advance at your normal cruise rpm's mine is like 2200 at 60 with 235/75/15 tires and 2.94 gear.