If your distributer is locked out then yeah,set it to 36 or 38 or whatever...but if it's not locked out, As long as it is close to TDC on the compression stroke you'll be able to get it started..just get it running then set the timing to 34-38 or whatever you want with all advance in.If your distributer isn't locked out and you install it 36 deg BTDC , when you start it and the centrifical advance and or vacume advance comes in you will have way too much timing.
If for some reason you can't get a finger on the spark plug hole to tell when it's on the compression stro ke,just watch the rocker arms.