Hi George,
About ten years ago, Scott Cook suggested"Set up for mechanical advance. 18-20° initial at Idle. Total 28° all in by 3200rpm." That was for a 390 cu in Cleveland with 10.0:1 CR and Scott's heads and intake manifold.
18-20° initial would make hot starts difficult unless the ignition system had a 10° retard during starting. (Hmmm...Pantera Electronics EIS ? )
John