Timing on a 73 ironhead
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Timing on a 73 ironhead
Ok all you gurus, tell me a good way to time this motor, ive got the timeing mark in the window, no whats the advancment , and whats the best way to do it. pls help me this thing turned over the other day now i want to tune it up a bit. PLS HELP
PINOINGEAR I see your still here help me
PINOINGEAR I see your still here help me
Last edited by craezlarry; Jul 21, 2009 at 11:28 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Houston Texas
PINOINGEAR I see your still here help me
Yep, I am still around.
If your intent is to tune up the engine then I suggest you start by adjusting the valves. You want to do this with the engine stone cold.
If you do not know the procedure let us know and we can outline what you need to do.
For the timing exercise:
Set the points gap at .018. Check both gaps on both ignition cam lobes. (Front and rear cylinder)
There should only be a difference between the two gaps of .004 maximum. If it is greater than that you need to either re-seat the advance unit or buy a new ignition cam.
Next, install the plastic plug into the timing hole on the left side of the engine. If you do not have such a plug, get one.
Start up the engine and let it warm up fully. Hook a timing light pickup lead on the front spark plug wire. Have the engine running at a steady speed of 2000 rpm. This advances the spark correctly to time the engine.
Pull the timing light trigger while aiming the light into the end of the plug. You are looking for the slash mark to appear in the timing hole.
If you cannot see the mark, loosen the points backing plate and rotate it a little bit either clockwise or CCW.
When you see the mark appear, the timing is good. Perfectly centered in the hole is absolutely perfect, but as long as the slash mark appears anywhere in the hole the timing is close enough.
This mark is famous for being very, very hard to see. Just keep trying and you will see it. Sometimes you will see a double dot also. This is the mark for the rear cylinder. Since Harley fires both plugs at the same time on each stroke (waste spark system) you will see the double dot also at times..... but it usually is faint. You are on the front wire, so you are looking for the vertical slash mark.
It will help to have a buddy work with you so that he can hold the throttle speed steady and rotate the backing plate while you watch the hole....... but, you can do it alone too.
Let us know how it goes after you are finished........... pg
Yep, I am still around.
If your intent is to tune up the engine then I suggest you start by adjusting the valves. You want to do this with the engine stone cold.
If you do not know the procedure let us know and we can outline what you need to do.
For the timing exercise:
Set the points gap at .018. Check both gaps on both ignition cam lobes. (Front and rear cylinder)
There should only be a difference between the two gaps of .004 maximum. If it is greater than that you need to either re-seat the advance unit or buy a new ignition cam.
Next, install the plastic plug into the timing hole on the left side of the engine. If you do not have such a plug, get one.
Start up the engine and let it warm up fully. Hook a timing light pickup lead on the front spark plug wire. Have the engine running at a steady speed of 2000 rpm. This advances the spark correctly to time the engine.
Pull the timing light trigger while aiming the light into the end of the plug. You are looking for the slash mark to appear in the timing hole.
If you cannot see the mark, loosen the points backing plate and rotate it a little bit either clockwise or CCW.
When you see the mark appear, the timing is good. Perfectly centered in the hole is absolutely perfect, but as long as the slash mark appears anywhere in the hole the timing is close enough.
This mark is famous for being very, very hard to see. Just keep trying and you will see it. Sometimes you will see a double dot also. This is the mark for the rear cylinder. Since Harley fires both plugs at the same time on each stroke (waste spark system) you will see the double dot also at times..... but it usually is faint. You are on the front wire, so you are looking for the vertical slash mark.
It will help to have a buddy work with you so that he can hold the throttle speed steady and rotate the backing plate while you watch the hole....... but, you can do it alone too.
Let us know how it goes after you are finished........... pg
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