timing

[yoshi]

Totaling confused with this timing stuff. SBC350, my engine was started & the timing was set at 33 i think, it was running with low vacuum. I turned the dizzy anti clockwise & i found the vacuum went up. I've left it at that but now my starter motor has fractured. I'm told it could be due to incorrect initial timing. Before i restart the engine I'll get a timing light sorted, but what i don't get is the initial/total timing thing. If you set the initial timing then set the total, your moving the dizzy so what's the point of doing the initial timing?