another timing question

[geezer#99]

If you're at 18 degrees and want to get to 8 degrees you turn the dizzy clockwise.
Clockwise retards the timing.
Counterclockwise advances it.
Your proper timing spec may indeed be 18 initial. Or more.
If it has no trouble starting when hot at 18 I'd leave it there.
What's the specs on your motor?
Are you plugging the vac advance off while setting the timing?
How much mechanical timing do you have?
How much vac advance timing?
How much overall timing at what rpm?
Are you using a digital or dial back timing light?