ORIGINAL: rangerfredbob
Your paper cutting method makes for 22.5*... 360/2=180 180/2=90 90/2=45 45/2=22.5
you can't cut something in half and get 1/3... if you want to use the paper strip method, measure the length of the paper divide it by 360 and multiply by 30, or just print yourself off a degree wheel and have a piece ofcoat hanger as a indicator...
Read it again. When you get to 45* you cut a third off what is left is 30*. This was for a complete newbee so I'm assuming he doesn't have a degree wheel, and may not know how to use one.
Quick and dirty set it so the spark is 3/8" BTDC you'll be very close on any engine I measured. I just do it by eye, the engines with 6 bolts shows you what 60* is, if you can't hit 30* within 1~2* by eye put the beer bottle down.