Carl,

No laughing. If the book says to set the timing to 12 degrees Before Top Dead Center and you set it to 8 degrees, you have set it to 8 degrees advanced. Anything Before Top Dead Center is advanced timing. Anything After Top Dead Center is retarded timing.

Advanced is Before, early, #1 fires before TDC.

Retarded is After, late, #1 fires after TDC

Top Dead Center is 0&deg, #1 piston is at the top of its compression stroke.

Stuart