TOPIC: Looking for timing hints

I had my timing pulley eat itself on my 66 100hp Johnson meteor. I have replaced it but I would like to dial in the timing. I think i have a slight offset from the points not being perfect. I have to go back and check them. Any advice on how to best set the timing?

I had the same problem several years ago with the same engine, had the local sheriff dept pull be back to the landing.

You have to look very close with a flashlight and there are marks stamped all over the place. Probably a mark stamped on the recoil housing facing the dist and then a mark on the flywheel and another mark on the dist brace or crankcase. Those three marks have to be lined up. Then there should be three marks on distributor pulley, distributor housing and the support bracket, those also have to be lined up. Then install the belt and tighten it up.
The mark under the flywheel on the crankcase or bracket might be hard to find, usually painted over.
If those marks are off by one notch on your belt it will not run right.

Lining up the marks didn't work. it won't start in the that spot. 1 cog over it will start but kills when i put it in gear. 3 cogs seems to be ideal. is there some other adjustment that should happen so the marks line up?

The only other thing I can think of is to do a synchronization of all the linkages. I might have a Clymer book that goes through the process. I know there is a video somewhere on youtube that I did watch. Try searching you tube, I'll do the same when I get a chance.
Did you check your point clearance after all the alignments were made?

I know some of ya guys are not big fans of Clymer books but this one has been my bible for a whole bunch of years.
Here are the basic steps for synchronizing your 100hp V4 1966.


Hope this helps with the problem.

Cal

I was able to pull up on an a slalom ski so it isn't horrible. but. it is not as solid as it was. I will follow the directions and see where i end up. I didn't want to mess with it when it was running well.

I changed the points and plugs. it wasn't running right so i set it up so i could fire the plugs just by spinning the distributor pulley. I found out that I was only firing on #2 cylinder. adjusted points again and now am firing on 1,2,3 but not 4. i don't understand. even better if i turn it to 4 and rotate backwards it will fire. I have to think it is that set of points but how does it fire on one side and not the other.

Sounds like your #4 plug wire is not making good contact in the dist. If you have an ohm meter check the continuity of the wire at the plug end and the distributor. How 'bout if you file the points of contact just to make sure.
Let us know

If it's not a spark plug wire thing, maybe take a look at the points. There are 2 sets of points and they both must have clean contacts, properly gapped, for all the plugs to fire.

I would remove each points assembly and take it apart. Polish the contacts with crocus cloth. If they're quite pitted, you can clean them up with a coarse whetstone. Be sure to keep the contact parallel with the abrasive surface, otherwise the points will wear crooked and then they'll make a poor connection.

Set each points' gap at .020" with the points aligned to the mark on the points cam.

Re: plug wires, note that they screw into the distributor cap, so don't pull on them, unscrew CCW to remove.

HTH.........ed

i did check all the wires from the distributor and they are all similar. very low resistance. the points are not pitted. they are new. But the gap could be off. don't get why one side would fire and the other not. I will clean and reset them and try again.

It really gets frustrating at times right??
Take a day off, have a few drinkie-poos to contemplate.

I gave up on the points. I installed Hot Spark electronic. Still adjusting things. couldn't find a direct component so I am rigging this up. when i get the bugs figured out I will post what I learned.

Great spark on all 4 cylinders. I just have to remake the spacer so it brings the pulley down to a reasonable height. should be ready for a water test tomorrow. I wish I would have taken video of the spark before the change. Oh well.