how hard is it to set the timing on a 1994 grand am

It is so hard to set that most would say that it is impossible. The ECU controls the timing. It changes with every movement of the gas pedal. The only thing you can do is change the spark plugs. Don't buy the cheap plugs - they will fail. Go with a single electrode platinum plug. A good place to get them is from RockAuto.com

He is correct, without a really expensive computer you aren't changing the electronic timing anytime soon. Also correct on the plugs, GMs waste spark system puts out 30,000+ volts and will burn up standard copper plugs in a matter of months.