Have not tried this but don't see why it wouldn't work. This would get around the problem of having the timing hard to check on an engine which doesn't idle low enough.

1) Pull the plug wires off the plugs and remove the fuel pump relay so the engine won't start

2) Put plugs on the wires and ground them so the coils will fire normally

3) Connect a timing light to front leading in normal way

3) Turn engine with starter (either use a friend or a remote starter switch)

4) Check and set ignition timing at cranking speed.

Shoot holes in my theory, please.

 

i have not checked to verify that the timing is not advanced during cranking but advancing the timing to 10 degrees of advance does assist in starting versus base ignition timing so i would simply assume that the timing is not going to be accurate during cranking. i could be incorrect, but when tuning standalones i always advance timing during crank.

someone who already has proper timing set could easily verify it, though i have never felt the need to.