oh boy, By the book? 0* TDC
seriously set it to 5* BTDC if its stock. It'll be more peppy and should start a little easier. If you want the long answer read on.
The manual says 0* TDC...BUT we all know that factory setups are factory published specs and not necessarily what is best in the real world.
Totally stock engines/setups will run normal with factory settings. Meaning, if your motor is completely stock and you have ALL of the factory "do-dads" on the engine it will perform just as it did the day it rolled out of the dealer. In all of it's 70HP 22MPG glory....( I'm over/underestimating to make a point )
No sir, That just wont do!
As for why you are getting so many differing opinions... Everyone's setup is different. Some say run 10*, some say run 5*, some say run 15*, but if you run 10* initial without limiting the other advance mechanisms, you'll have a motor that sounds like it has spoons in the valve cover
Now, in this day and age when we've had 20+ years to play around with the slant we can form our own opinions.
My slant likes more initial timing ( the more the better to a point ). With a stock vac pod and stock mech advance I could only go as high as about 7* BTDC before it would ping under load in the mid range.
Now i run 11* BTDC with a fatter carb and limited mech and tuned vac advance...combined mileage is 21MPG with a 833OD and 2.76 rear
