Timing Settings, 1985 318i?

[SquireOne]

I have someone who is going to help me do the timing on a BMW 318i and he says he needs the specifications for doing the timing on this specific model. I am going to buy the Bentley manual, but I wanted to do the timing today, does anyone have these specifications? He mentioned something about degrees off of TDC, etc? Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks.

[longpole938]

i dont know the spec (although usually 6 degrees BTDC is around where 4 bangers are) but what that means is that at idle with no mechanical or vacuum advance your engine shouldnt spark at TDC.... it should be a certain degree before that since the mixture takes about .003 seconds to burn, so it compensates for burn time... if you dont know how to do the TDC method give me a PM.... i am acutally takeing a final on ignition/timing system at Dunwoody tomorrow