Ignition timing mark

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Where to find it.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

You need to remove the floor boards and open cover on top of the bell housing and you will see if you position your head just right. you may be able to open the vent and look down from there if you climb up to get directly over it.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Hi David, it is on the flywheel. The info that Jim posted above will get you to the top of the bell housing, remove the steel cover plate from the top of bell housing which is part of the engine crankcase. You can use a mirror to see the marks on the flywheel.

To get the engine set near to TDC #1, [ that’s Top Dead Center, #1/6 cylinders] Remove the spark plug for #1 cylinder, or for easier hand cranking, remove all 6 spark plugs.. look into #1 cylinder, and watch the valves and piston top..

Using the hand crank, rotate the engine an look into the #1 cylinder. You want the piston to be coming up, without either valve open. If the exhaust valve is open as the piston is rising, then the cylinder is on ‘cross-over’, and the exhaust valve will close as the piston reaches the top of it’s travel, then the intake will immediately open as the piston drops down the cylinder. The next upward stroke of the piston is the compression stroke, When the piston is at the very top of the cylinder, that position is called Top Dead Center..

With the engine at TDC #1 cylinder, you should be able to see the timing marks stamped on the flywheel.. There is a notch or point in in aluminum casting near the centerline of the opening.

There is a mark on the flywheel called #1-IGN.. line that up with the notch or center of the opening. AT this position of the flywheel/crankshaft, the points in the distributor should JUST be opening. This is with the spark lever on the steering wheel at full retard, [pulled down to 7 o’clock position]

If the points are not just opening, or just slightly open, Then check the gap of the points when fully open. Pierce allows a wide range of adjustment: .017″-.028″ or roughly that, -.001″. If you open the point gap, the points will open sooner, if you close up the point gap, the points will open later.

The Series 80/81 engines are very forgiving of timing not being ‘right on’… I usually like the points to be just a bit open at the timing mark,, this gives a degree or two of additional advance to the spark, which is helpful with the low compression and the much higher octane in today’s fuel. compared to what was available in the 1920’s.

With the hand-adjustable spark advance on the steering wheel, a degree or two advance is easily allowed for with the spark lever if wanted.

Hope this helps..

Greg Long

[Author]

Posts