Jim,
I'm worried about that too. But these clones do not have any method of changing the hook timing like Singers do. Everything is assembled and then pinned in place. The only adjustments are needle bar height and feed dog position.
There is "a" visible timing mark on the needle bar. When it's run down to BDC it's 2/64" to 3/64" below the bushing. This is consistent with all the clones I have that have a timing mark. Then when the needle bar is rotated up till the timing mark is at the bottom of the bushing the hook is late by maybe an 1/8th inch. I haven't tried to adjust the needle bar yet. I'm concerned that if I change the needle bar the needle will sit too low in it's stroke. I don't know and I don't have any manuals for the clones. They are a bit different from the Singers.
We'll see how it sews after I get it cleaned up and go from there.
Joe