Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection Need advice on ignition issues? Questions about a tuner? Have questions about a EFI calibration or Fuel Injection? Tips on Engine Diagnostics, how to get codes, and what they mean. Find your answers here.

67 pan shovel timing problems..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 3, 2026 | 07:50 PM
  #1  
norrism8's Avatar
norrism8
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Default 67 pan shovel timing problems..

I’m trying to get the timing right on my 67 gent shovel.. the distributor advance isn’t the same as what I’m seeing on how to videos, and i get two different slash marks in the inspection home, And the backing plate doesn’t turn far enough to open the points on the compression stroke while I can see either slash marks.. I think I’m just confused lol any help would be appreciated.. attached pictures of the distributor and timing marks in current position







 
Reply
Old May 4, 2026 | 11:25 AM
  #2  
60wt's Avatar
60wt
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 23
From:
Default

I never had much luck timing pan & shovel motors with timing mark, you never know what the previous owner has done to the motor like different fly wheels distributor ... the method I use ...set point gap at recommended gap. ( somewhere around .018) bring front cylinder up on compression stroke 7/16 before TDC by sticking a measured plastic straw in the spark plug hole ..when in that position using a volt meter with points closed & gap set, turn distributor until points open, then lock distributor.. start motor ...If needed you can then slightly turn distributor one way or other to smooth out motor...
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2026 | 09:42 PM
  #3  
norrism8's Avatar
norrism8
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Default

Ok I’ll try that thank you… you mean measure a straw at bottom and tdc and figure 7/16 if that, yes?
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2026 | 09:58 PM
  #4  
norrism8's Avatar
norrism8
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Default

Or did you mean 7/16” below tdc?
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2026 | 11:54 AM
  #5  
60wt's Avatar
60wt
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 23
From:
Default

bring the piston tall the way up to TDC, put straw in spark plug hole, make a pencil mark on cylinder head & straw for reference, then measure up on straw 7/16.....then you'll have to bring the piston back around going up on compression stroke ....with straw in hole bring piston up to mark on straw...
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2026 | 08:40 AM
  #6  
bustert's Avatar
bustert
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,071
Likes: 1,006
Default

do you have the FSM?
there could be several issues especially with equipment this old. first confirm the distributor is actually installed correctly. second, make sure there is no excessive play in the shaft as these units will wear out the bushings and if the cam has too much wobble, have fun setting the timing. i would replace the points with an electronic version, wayyyyyy better. your machine have the left grip adv/retard? been awhile but if the cam can be removed from the shaft is it installed correctly, if not, could be 180 out plus the offset of the ramp. that said, using the correct stroke?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
breakout18
Shovelhead
0
Jul 1, 2019 09:44 AM
Tanner A
Shovelhead
0
Nov 24, 2018 05:39 AM
Tanner A
Shovelhead
0
Nov 24, 2018 05:33 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:17 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE