i have a 56 pan i rebuilt it from ground up,its done but it wont stay running it fires for a second flames/and smoke coming out of carb,ss super e carb,sifton H cam/and oil pump,new batt tested and have 6.4 volt new points and condenser,any one now a easy way to set timming,new rods and solid lifters
thanks james[:@]

This might take some time but here it goes Harley times off the front cylinder Remove the timing plug (left side of the cases) You want compression on the front cylinder(make sure the pushrods are adjustedproperly Intake front at bottom of cam rod spins in your fingers exhaust front at bottom of cam travel the same rear pushrods again adjusted at the bottom of the cam ) Are you confussed yet? OK Turn the motor over until you have compression on the front cylinder Watch the front pushrods go to the bottom or put your finger into the front spark plug hole and as you turn the motor over feel compression (air blowin at ya) look into the timing hole you should see a st line on the fly wheels come into view (rear of the hole) STOP This is where the points on the circuit breaker should just open say .001 ( at the advance of the distributor(circuit breaker) This is after yiu set your points at .022 If this is blowing your mind (it is mine) call me at 608-847-4240 we'll talk

Hi thanks for the reply,did all that and the line on the fly wheel is not there i have to turn it over about 1/4 1/2 turns on the sproocket nut then i see the line,and then its on the rear intake also do you know any thing on a sifton oil pump,top fitting return,and bottom feed

Was the distributor/circuit breaker re timed after the rebuild? When you look down at the distributor head ( cover off) and the front cylinder is on compression stroke ( front pushrods turn in your finger tips ) the narrow part of the cam( that opens and closes the points ) should be at about 6 oclock Again if you look in the timing hole that advance line should be at the rear of the hole and looking at the points they should be just opening say .001 in (feeler gauge ) I have to check that oil pump set up

From what you said last it appears you may be 180 out on your timing

well i think that worked,does having the gas tanks on make the fuel fill the bowl on the carb,i have a funel on the fuel line and it does not want to suck any fuel up,i sprayed some fuel in the carb and then it fired for about 2 seconds no flames of back fire this time so i think the timming right now,now the tranny i check the gears yesterday to make sure the work by rolling rear wheel and 1,2,3 was good but no 4 just spins not engaing,i hade it apart to clean and put new seal/gaskets what do you think,when you said 6 on the cap is that when im off the bike or sitting on it i tryed calling you yesterday but no anser,whats a good time your 1 hour behind

Try me again That 6 o clock is you standing on the right side of the bike looking down at the distrib facing the engine

http://www.hydra-glide.com/phpBB2/kb.php?mode=article&k=1056

Try this

thanks for all your help i got it to start today its been 20 years since this bike has ran thanks again time to hit the road ya hooo

your pushrods are not the right length

So, what did you do to get her to fire up?