timing advance without light

I am going to attempt to advance the timing on my 89 nissan sentra without using a timing light, which probably isn't a good idea but its just for the dirt track, not a daily driver. The plan is just to turn the distributer to the right about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Will there be anything noticable with the idle to tell me I have found a good spot or went to far? I have also seen something about "timing mode", what is that? Also should I increase the gap on the spark plugs? Thanks for any help.

you shouldnt. 1/2 inch is gonna probably be something like 5-10 degrees advance, which is enough to make your car knock on heavens door at wot high rpm. just get a timing light. and dont increase the gap on your plugs. but if you advance the timing pls use 91+ octane

your idle will be higher but it will be ok. and what i usually do is turn it a little and rap on the throttle and see how it does you will feel a diff just in the throttle but you will notice that if you go to step on it at low rpms it will not respond as well as before.....but your higher end you will feel a diff. go ahead and play with it. mess with it drive around the block. come back do it agian just get it where you want it and it feels good with the way you drive