How to check timing on each individual cylinder

**david laser86** · 11-23-2004, 10:56 PM

Do i need some sort of degree wheel? How exactly is it done?
Dave.

**Phil Conant** · 11-23-2004, 11:25 PM

You can check each cylinder with a dail indicator.
Do it just like your timming number one but do it six times.
Just index each cylinder with the idicator counter clockwise .150 from tdc (the factory Hi-Po setting). You can put six marks on the flywheel and check each cylinder instead of just cylinder number one.

**pirogue** · 11-23-2004, 11:34 PM

dave to be honest you can get a white out pencil and just put a timing mark on the flywheel using a screw driver in the cyl, it won't have to be precise, it will either by way off or very close. if your using it for troubleshooting. i the number of the cyl for the reference #.

**david laser86** · 11-23-2004, 11:47 PM

Thanks Phil and Craig. I figured it had to be fairly simple to check.
Dave.

**pirogue** · 11-24-2004, 12:09 AM

david sorry about all the humbug i wrote, kinda did it fast. what i meant is if you are using each cyl to troubleshoot eletrical problem, the timing is going to be close to your mark, dead on, or not in the pic, or reading another cyl. that's why i use the cyl # for the timing mark on flywheel, and not just a mark. also if you do get a dial indicator i normally mark the 25* mark using the cyl # and a different color marker. usually white= tdc and red=25*

i went back and read my post it looks like i was smoking crack!

**david laser86** · 11-24-2004, 08:34 AM

I got the basic idea. Just going over & checking out everything on my motor before i put a little wheel on it and turn it up. Dave.

**Jay Smith** · 11-24-2004, 11:30 AM

Incert a JSRE dial indicater ( hint hint , lol.... ) in each plug hole and turn the flywheel clockwise until "O" ( TDC ) is established then turn the the flywheel back counter clockwise .150" , stop and mark flywheel . this establishes 25 degrees ( .170" = 27 degress and so on ) do this same procedure on all six holes and you should have 12 marks ( 6 TDC and 6 25 degrees to correspond with each plugs timing ) The dial indicator is the ONLY way to do the job you are attempting in an accurate manner.....

Good luck,

**david laser86** · 11-24-2004, 02:02 PM

How much for the dial indicator?

**Jay Smith** · 11-24-2004, 09:25 PM

David ,
$40.00 + freight complete with easy to use instructions
.......

**Forkin' Crazy** · 11-24-2004, 09:51 PM

I use a piston stop. It will do almost the same thing as a dial indicator as far as finding TDC, but a lot cheaper.

I count my teeth on the flywheel, compare to 360* to figure the tooth to degree ratio. From there it's down hill.

**TB21** · 11-26-2004, 08:56 AM

Actually a piston stop is the only true accurate way to establish TDC . With a dial indicator TDC can vary slightly because of rod dwell. Is a small detail , but when you wanna get picky its the cool deal. TB

**captcarb** · 11-26-2004, 09:14 AM

You don't need to know where TDC is. It's not used for anything. The dial indicator will measure accurately where .150 before is, or any other measurement. It can be marked on the flywheel for all six. What else do you need to know (for a merc)?

Jim

**TB21** · 11-26-2004, 09:27 AM

You don't need know where TDC is , its not used for anything

Yes the indicator will accurately measure the .150" or whatever you want , but how do you determine a starting point

next time you have your indicator in , roll to what you think is TDC and watch how much you can rock the flywheel back and forth with no indicator movement , its rod dwell , yes i know im being picky but the racing i've been involved in didn't allow imperfections.
TB

**captcarb** · 11-26-2004, 09:37 AM

Rod dwell is only important if you are trying to measure TDC, thats the whole point. It's easy to zero the indicator even if there is dwell. If you want to measure something else measure it from the .150 point. its accurate. It's a lot more accurate that counting teeth.

It does not make sense to measure the timing from the TDC point when it is more difficult to determine. TDC can be accurately measured with a dial indicator, it's just not necessary.

Jim