T3: first start(!) and 009 question

[Bryan Carlson <bjc159s@nic.smsu.edu>]

Today, after months of having a newly rebuilt engine (my first total
rebuild) and trying to track down a pesky electrical problem, my 73 square
puttered to life!  The trouble I was having was a weak spark, and after
switching coils, several condensors and points and rotors and caps, plug
wires, and finally a new 009 distributor, I finally tracked it down.  As
I was making the run up to my apartment to grab a different coil after
several attempts at cranking and looking for spark after grounding
everything with auxillary wires and running a hot wire directly off the
battery, I got to looking at the connections on the coil.  One for the hot
wire on the + side and two on the - side for the distributor and the
choke.  All it took was disconnecting the choke wire (bad switch?) and I
got all the spark I needed.  It fired right up.  I was so pleased.  I
do have a question.  I started it up timed at 0 deg TDC.  I know that this
isn't
right for an 009.  What degree advance or retard do I need for this car?
It is a stock rebuild, with the PO having converted from FI to a single
overhead carb (which I despise).  I have been told between 7 to 10 degree
before TDC.  I just want to make sure that this is correct before I put a
load on the engine.
Thanks for all your help!  I could not have gotten this far without this
list.

Bryan
Fresh 73 square