So correct me if I am wrong here. If I wanted 30°(ex) of initial timing I would turn engine by hand and line the timing mark up to 30° btdc on #1 cylinder. Then install distributor with rotor pointing directly to #1 on the cap. Is this correct?
Yup. But 40 is better than 30. They will take a bunch of timing with no load on them. Also, slow timing will make the exhaust very hot and can stick exhaust valves even with extra clearance on them.
