Reply to "How to do the ignition timing on a mangusta"

Yes, start with 34-36 total advance with the vacuum plugged. Then reattach vacuum. If you car idles fine, use ported vacuum. If you need more advance at idle, use permanent vacuum source.

That's the ideal world, here comes the limitations in the real world:
-If the starter can't handle it, get a better starter or reduce idle advance, this is most easily done with an adjustable vacuum advance
-If it pings at WOT, reduce Total advance
-If it pings at 2-3500 rpm, medium throttle, either reduce vacuum advance, or change springs etc in distributor to harder, so the mechanical advance comes in later
(This is of course based on the assumption that you can hear a ping, with the engine behind you and a loud exhaust, this can be hard)
If all else fails:
http://www.tuningmadeeasy.com/...-an-ignition-part-1/
http://www.tuningmadeeasy.com/...-an-ignition-part-2/