School Me On Distributor Performance

I agree its important to set the timing first. But the way to do it is this:
Get the engine started using a ballpark initial and a bit extra idle speed.
Once its running and warmed up enough, set the timing to the initial using a timing light and tach.
Then adjust the idle speed down so the throttles are revealing between .020 and .040" to the intake. Or at least try to that.
Then see if the idle mix screws can be used effectively.
After that, tuning the initial timing, idle speed, and idle mix screws a little at time until the strongest in gear at reasonably low rpm is obtained.

The 4secondsflat info is not what I would recommend.
What the speed shops did for drag racing with points is still useful for drag racing with points.
If you know a bit about the engine and the use it still can be set up pretty close on a distributor machine, just not the way it would be for points and 1/4 mile.
Member @halifaxhops has the springs etc to change the slopes and set up the advance rpm on a Sun machine.