Ignition question

As I read post #1, the "locked out" distributor is on a different car (his race car). In general, you want as much advance as possible, without pinging. That is how modern ignition systems work, they keep advancing (within limits) until the knock sensors says "back off", then creep up again. Most people find 15-20 deg initial advance best (w/ vacuum active). That is much higher than the factory spec.