You aren't understanding the situation. Yes, the distributor never turns for advance. Yes, it is locked in at 36 degrees. The MSD box retards the timing to whatever I program it to be at ignition on. Therefore, I am not at 36 degrees at start up. I have set it for 11 degrees at start up, 19 at idle and 36 all in. I'm glad for the help, but the fancy programmable gadgetry is what will help me get the most from my motor. There are those who thought electronic ignition was un unnecessary complexity, but we have learned otherwise.