I have read several posts and answers to the best method to set the initial timing. It appears that there are several ways to go about this. Beings that I do not have any of the gauges or tools to precisely set the timing, here is how I went about doing mine and I need to know if I am OK. I disconnected the advance rod from the commentator, turned the crank so the pin was at the 3:30--9:30 position. I then rotated the commentator by hand so as the coils just started to buzz. I scribed a mark on the commentator and the block, then after hooking the advance rod back up I bent the rod until at full retard on the lever my marks lined back up. Is this going to be OK? Thanks

If you rotated the commutator counter clockwise as viewed from the front of the engine, you should be just fine. Most important thing about the timing is that the spark comes after top dead center when starting. Other adjustments are made by moving the lever down. It is not important to get it exact, just that it is after top dead center with the lever all the way up. If you run on magneto, the timing will depend on the relationship of the magnets with the coil ring and that is fixed.
Norm