
Originally Posted by
TheRealFatShady
It's easier than it may seem, at least with a small amount of mechanical experience and know-how. The manual makes it real simple.
Basically, TDC is top dead center; this is when the piston is at the top of it's travel, at its highest point. There are two TDCs in a four stroke cycle. Timing is set at the compression stroke, when both the lobes on the cam are pointed down, making both valves closed. It's the second TDC.
You need to turn the flywheel/engine over until TDC. There should be a mark with a T on the flywheel, you need to remove the little cover to see it. Sometimes they are rusty and hard to find, but if you look through the spark plug hole, you can use a straw and/or flashlight to see when the piston is at the top. If it's at the top and there's no 'T' visible on the flywheel visible, you are likely at the wrong TDC.
The manual makes it really easy because it has pictures, instructions, exploded views, etc. Should be available online as well.
There is also the ignition timing on the camshaft, but that's fairly simple as well.