Too much timing?

Because of low cylinder pressure. There's nothing jagged edge about it. If it can stand 20 initial limiting total to 34-36, without spark knock and without kicking back on the starter, why not do it? It will run much better. His camshaft has a good little bit of duration, too and that will always benefit with increased initial timing. It's no secret. It's been in the MP engine books for years. ...and not just in the race section. It's very beneficial on the street, as it keeps temps down, make for a more efficient and complete burn. There's absolutely no down side.

Well, you can talk about all the Mopar books you want, but if he keeps driving his car at 20 initial, 40 all in, he's going to have problems. You even had your slant motor way over timmed, until I mentioned slants don't like a lot of timming. You lowered your timming, all is good. Its just a mild small block, no reason to run the timming on the ragged edge.