OK, I know.  This has been discussed over and over and I have read other posts and opinions on other websites.

I have an electronic distributor with 19 total crankshaft advance degrees.  The only way to increase that is using a file on the stops.
So what TOTAL do I run?  

Lets say you recommend 35 degrees, that means I need 16 degrees initial..  kinda steep??

QUESTION 2:  I have 3 sets of springs to choose from:  1)  All advance by 2500 rpm  2)  All by 3800 RPM 3) All by 5500 RPM

OK guys...Recommendations please!!

I have an old school timing light with the advance dial on the back.  I bought mine at Sears years ago.  With these timing lights, you can see what's happening with your advance. I set my timing light dial to 36 degrees .  I rev the engine to full advance and lock down the distributor when the timing mark is even with the TDC pointer.    If you then set the dial back to zero, you can see the initial advance and the advance curve.   My 292 has a stock 1957 Ford distributor with a Pertronix unit.  The vacumn advance line is connected to the side of my Holley 465.  I changed the distributor advance springs and my total advanace is all in at 3,500.  I run pump high test gas and my engine doesn't ping or run on.