[blykins]

All 3 scales should be BTDC. It's the same scenario, it's just a universal damper for all of the different SBF combos. Once you find true TDC, you should be able to mount the timing pointer in all 3 positions and it should put to "0" on the appropriate scale.

Do you have a straight mechanical advance distributor, or a vacuum advance distributor?

Initial timing is what you should see at idle. The springs are how quick the timing advance comes in. If you have an MSD, then there should be stop bushings that limit how much advance you get. If you have a Mallory, then you use plastic sticks to adjust it. For instance, a certain stop bushing in an MSD will give you 24 degrees advance. Keep in mind that it's not always perfect, but if your initial timing is at 12 degrees and you have 24 degrees advance, then your total time is 36 degrees. The springs tell the distributor when all of that advance should be applied. But yes, unless something is totally funky, you should be able to set the initial time, then bring the engine to 3000 and check total time.

If you have a vacuum advance, let us know....it requires a different procedure.