checking timing

[Y-Blockhead]

Any advantaged to using the wrench vs the crank?

The advantage is you are on the same side of the radiator as the distributor and can observe the light and/or rotor position. Or you can't turn the crank backwards. Or you have a Tool Box is your way, as I do...

Other than those I can't think of any.

 

[SkimmerBob]

Thanks everyone I used this thread to get mine back in time.
Thanks Tom Wesenberg for the picture that helped a lot.
Thanks Y-Blockhead for the suggestion on the bent wrench. I will go get me a wrench to bend this weekend at the local "Dirt Mall" (Outdoor Flea Market).

 

[Anteek29]

Had a good laugh from what Y-Blockhead wrote:

Have your wife (or girlfriend hold the secondary wire while you slowly rotate the engine. If she jumps at the same time you feel the detent in the cam gear, you are good to go.

 

[old31]

Great idea but they wont be his wife or girl friend for very long.

 

[aermotor]

You can raise the rotor higher by putting small cardboard pieces on top of the distributor shaft. This is easier than trying to bend the stiff brass. I don't recall seeing this problem.

I don't see why the rotor pin has to be on the same plan as the distributer pin as long as the closest points (gap) are .020.

John

 

[daveymc29]

Had my new bride hold the plug lead on a Graham Paige Rototiller ONCE, Still around after 60 odd years, won't look at a plug wire and asks no questions about "Why don't you do thus and such?"

 

[Dutie]

I look in the pin hole with a super bright LED small flashlight reflecting off of a small 2x3 mirror with an extension. If positioned just right you can see the dimple on the gear clearly. Try it and good luck, let us know. Dutie

 

[Purdy Swoft]

So, after all this exacting effort to get the timing "exactly right", you start the engine and pull the spark lever down to where "that sounds about right"! Where is the timing at now? Don't know, do you![/QUOT


If the initial timing isn't accurately set , You really won't know where the timing is when you pull the spark down . If you don't know where the timing is when you retard the spark it can damage the starter when you try to crank it . If the timing is too advanced the engine will kick back and it still won't start . If a person thinks the problem is the battery and tries to hand crank the engine can kick back and break your arm if the timing is too advanced .This is a couple of reasons why exact initial timing is so important .