I just got a quote from a shop saying they could advance my timing for 90 bucks. Does that sound right or is it a little low?

 

That sounds a little low to me, I would ask them exactly how they are going to do it. If they are just going to pin the pump , pop the gear off and pin the engine, it will only get you back to stock timing.

Some shops will pin the pump, pop the gear off , and roll the engine back until they think it is enough , then put it all backtogether and send you on your way.

Then there is the right way to do it, using a dial indicator down through one of the DV holes to get the correct lift , pop the gear off , and roll the engine to TDC, then re-assemble and re-check.

 

A lot of "mechanics" say they can bump the timing without using a dial indicator and they are right. The problem is they have to know where the timing is currently set or it's just a guessing game where it will end up.

 

unless you have a timing light

So much easier. Got setting timing down to about 45 minutes.

 

I have a diesel timing light and still find it easier to use the dial indicator method. With the light you can check the timing very easy but changing it is more work because you have to put everything back together in order to start the engine and see how far you've advanced the timing. If it isn't where you want you have to take everything apart again. Withe the dial indicator you know where you are before sealing everything back up.
Granted if a guy times enough engines he will get a good feel for how much to move the gear and might get by easier with a light.