hi tom , timing is done by measuring mm before tdc , best way to do it is a dial indicator on top of the piston , make sure the indicator is vertical or the reading will be inacurate ( head off ) or if anybody close to u can loan u the setup that screws into the plug , bultaco made a vernier calibrated tool for this , i don,t have monty numbers ,an estimate would be 2.7mm btdc ,then put some marks on the rotor , anyway retarding it a bit won,t hurt anything but performance , i have a mk 7 that has a similar problem , jared would be the man on this one i think , but if u need to check the timing i,m sure someone will lend u the tool , i would but am so far away