please help me convince a few young ones that us dudes from the "old skool" can find and set optimum timing without a timing light (or a laptop). We all know the basics of putting your finger over #1 plug hole and cranking for compression to find TDC. Set your rotor button run your plug wires and fire it up.  Now that we agree on the basics, I have found best timing by advancing the distributor (turning counter-clockwise) till the motor drags when trying to start hot. Then back it off a little and lock it down. Any comments ??  

Optimal timing without a light. That isn't old school, that's just stupidity!  

Gotta agree, there's no such thing as finding optimum timing without a timing light. Yes, your method will work if you're in a jam and just need to get a car running.

And with anything distributorless the ONLY way is with a laptop.