Setting timing
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
Setting timing
OK; How many of you guys that set your own timing use that little clear plastic case insert. I have tried to use it several times, and I can't see zip. So, I end up just opening up the hole and let her blow. At least I can see the timing marks that way. I tried using a magic marker to make a mark between the two little marks, but it don't seem to work very well on oiled metal.LOL. When I use to set the timing on cars, I use to use chalk on the mark, and usually the harmonic balancer was painted red or black, which helped a lot. Anybody got a better way of setting timing, or of marking it so you can see it with the plastic plug?
I did just check mine to make sure it was on before I mark the sensor plate location, as I am getting ready to replace the cam brg.
I did just check mine to make sure it was on before I mark the sensor plate location, as I am getting ready to replace the cam brg.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
If you really want to stop messing around with all the oil, check this out. We use these and they are getting harder to find. You put this in the primary and mark the rotor, then time it through the inspection hole. No fuss, no muss period.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EZ-Ty...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EZ-Ty...Q5fAccessories
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
Is that a Harley tool, or an after market job? Sounds like what I need. I got this clear plastic tool when I had my 84 Sportster, many moons ago from Harley. Never worked on the sportster very well either.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
Hey John; Looks like we were typing at the same time. That tool looks ideal for timing. Sure would save a lot of trouble, besides telling you which way you needed to go to get it on. Thanks for posting.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
It's not actually a tool you install in the primary, on the two rear bolts of the engine and it stays there. You make the alternator rotor and shoot the timing light through the inspection hole for the primary chain. Hope this helps.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Pettytown, Tx US of A
Greetings,
There are at least two types of plastic plugs - a short one that looks like a large screw and a longer one that is threaded almost full length.
Get the longer one.
The secret of the plastic plug (using the longer one) it to screw it in until it just touches the flywheel, then back it out a little so the crank turns but the plug doesn't actually touch the flywheel.
It acts like a scraper and makes the marks easier to see.
There are at least two types of plastic plugs - a short one that looks like a large screw and a longer one that is threaded almost full length.
Get the longer one.
The secret of the plastic plug (using the longer one) it to screw it in until it just touches the flywheel, then back it out a little so the crank turns but the plug doesn't actually touch the flywheel.
It acts like a scraper and makes the marks easier to see.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,197
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
I always just let it blow out the hole until a friend gave me one of the clear plastic ones. I mean, like, ZOMG, OIL MIST CAME OUT!!11
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
I drilled the timing plate and use the pillar bolt as a refernce, works like a charm. Check out this topic for clarity as I;m a terrible explainer, http://www.wildwestcycle.com/f_timingtrick.html In fact I had asked my buddy one day to check my timing ( hes a harley mechanic here ) and he said he uses the timing plate side on the right side where the slot is and uses the crank tdc to make a refernce point , anyway he checked my timing and said it was right on 35.
Last edited by RidemyEVO; Oct 25, 2010 at 11:03 AM.