OKee Dokeee, I went down stairs and figured out a way to get an accurate measurement.
Ran the needle down to the BDC then turned the hand wheel till it rose up .093". At that point the hook is behind the needle at the eye, but the tip of the hook is aprox 2/32" past the needle.
So far I haven't found any instructions on how to re-time the hook that doesn't describe the replacement of it. The Singer 15 manuals are no help in this one.
I did sign up with that Yahoo Japanese machine group and did download that 5 part maintenance book. I doubt it will be of any help as it's just a generic clean and lube type book.
I will study the machine and keep looking for info.
Joe