timing 78 cyclone 440

[patriot]

I was wondering if anyone has had a similar problem, when i was using a timing light i just purchased (a relly cheap one 20 bucks) the marks would not move no matter where i moved the trigger coil, so after trying several things like a differant trigger ring ,a differentflywheel i turned the 440 over with a drill and was able to get the marks on.I had made a mark at tdc ,one at .096 btdc, and one 3 more degrees before .096 btdc, although i was able to get it timed, the trigger coil is all the way advanced and it is just barely before .096 mark ,I know you are supposed to time around 4000 rpm but it seems to run ok ,i mean it is no arm stretcher. does any of this sound o.k,or is this engine way too advanced ,by the way it has new crank seals and 120-122psi, any comments would be appreciated,this thing pretty much kept me up at nights, almost had to move in the garage with it.

[harleysportster]

I Have never experinced what you are discribing. Usaully, if you rotate the timing ring so the mounting screws are in the middle of the slot, that is a safe starting point and I have found this to be on the mark with a timing light. I always use a newer style light with a clamp style timing lead. If your sled does not have a battery, you should ground the sled chassis to the negative post of the battery you are using to energize the timing light. You also need to run the engine up to 4,000 rpm to get into the proper timing curve of the igniton.

[patriot]

thank you for your reply .I think i am going to try a different timing light,this engine cannot be timed correctly also i put new plugs in it and ran it around the yard i then pulled the plugs and only the mag side showed color ,the pto side was still new looking and wet it was also just warm.....so i ordered new coils and cdi box mabye that had something with the timing issue