1956 panhead
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: pasadena, texas
1956 panhead
this is a custom panhead i am working on for a friend. what is left of it is a 56 pan, it has std heads a s&s super b carb. it had been running perfectly fine, 2 kicks to prime then 1 maybe 2 to get it started up. the guy replaced the points, condenser, coil and the orings between the heads and intake manifold and manifold to carb. it still didnt start but it backfired on him a few times. now i have it and im thinking it might be out of time or the points arent set to the right position. can you panhead and hd gurus give me a little insight as to what might be wrong. any help and advice is greatly appreciated.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: pasadena, texas
he replaced alot of parts then it started to run great. i forgot to mention that part sorry. i just got in from working on it for 3 hours, the timeing was way to advance, it finally cranked over and ran but i shut off before i could diagnose things. there is no cable to advance retard the timing, what can i do to control it and keep it in the right position?
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
he replaced alot of parts then it started to run great. i forgot to mention that part sorry. i just got in from working on it for 3 hours, the timeing was way to advance, it finally cranked over and ran but i shut off before i could diagnose things. there is no cable to advance retard the timing, what can i do to control it and keep it in the right position?
get a chance post a pic. Pan **** is always welcome
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From: pasadena, texas
here are a few pictures. the guy had already put a spring on it to keep it fully advanced and when i pulled the spring off and changed the timing to full retard and just moved it little by little it finally hit that sweet spot and fired up.i just want to know how to keep it in the "sweet spot" and have it running fine and not have it move on me while it runs.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
The guy had already put a spring on it to keep it fully advanced and when i pulled the spring off and changed the timing to full retard and just moved it little by little it finally hit that sweet spot and fired up. I just want to know how to keep it in the "sweet spot" and have it running fine and not have it move on me while it runs.
Manual advance timer should be full counterclockwise position (full advance) when running. Anything short of that means your timing is not set correctly. You need to rest the timing.
Seems like you may have to pull and reset the timer. Off by one tooth maybe?
BTW...NICE looking pan there
Manual advance timer should be full counterclockwise position (full advance) when running. Anything short of that means your timing is not set correctly. You need to rest the timing.
Seems like you may have to pull and reset the timer. Off by one tooth maybe?
BTW...NICE looking pan there
Last edited by panz4ever; Jul 16, 2010 at 11:47 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
panz4ever's got it right. All the way counterclockwise should be full advanced. Setting the timing is done staticly in the retarded position. All the way clockwise should be where the points start to open in the retarded position. Should be the starting position or close to it. Mine starts cold about half way between stops. Not a hard process if you need help just post on the forum, someone will help. The breaker shouldn't spin that easy, but if it does there may be worn parts on it. Sweet looking pan. Good luck.