yup, me neither. maybe, someone else can shed some light
when 90 degrees is at level (and 0 is at the zenith as assumed) and I adjust the mount 54 degrees from level as suggested by you - it would sit at 54 degrees from level - or 36 degrees from zenith.
that makes it the opposite to what we see in my picture where it sits at 36 degrees from level.
which is exactly my question:
from where should I measure 36 degrees? from zenith or from level?