I think I'm getting this right. I used the limiter plate and reduced the total amount of vac. adv. allowed to approx 12 degrees, since the 18 degrees I was getting of the original can caused pinging. I also adjusted the vac can to a range of 10-15in of Vac. 15in. is the max the can would allow, and this matched the original can too. The original can ranged from 5-15in Vac. If I adjusted the new Vac range toward the 5-15in range, I'd increase the chance of pinging, but also provide for a greater range of time the vac advance would be active. Correct?
I'm pretty happy where it is at now, so I'll probably leave it there so I don't screw it up. Your description of tuning with the Vac Can is excellent. Much better than the instructions that cam with the can.