Topic: Can't get 1-4 Timing adjusted

[Chris Liston]

Spent a good part of the evening trying to get timing adjusted on my 550.  I rotated the crank until 1-4 points were at the widest part and adjusted between different settings between .012 too.016 while slowly moving the timing plate back and forth.  My buddy and I were using a timing light and no matter what point setting or a clockwise or counter movement on the timing plate as soon as we got to 2500 rpm the timing was to the left of the engine timing mark and behind the timing check window.  Not sure we must be doing wrong.  Spent about 2 hours and got nowhere.  NO matter what the timing is to the left (advanced???) of where it should be at engine hash mark. 

Just for giggles with 1-4 knowingly out of time we tried to do the 2-3 and again rotated the crank to the widest point gap and set them at .012 and slowly rotated the 2-3 plate at 2500 and the timing was spot on perfect.  Now I know its not once 1-4 get set.  It just seems that I'm out of adjustment.  I've read every post and the FAQ but nothing seems to work.

We didn't try static timing as I didn't have a test lamp handy.  Just did dynamic with a timing light at 2500 rpm.  At idle around 1000rpm the timing on 1-4 is about 1/8" off though.

Please help.  Dyna might be in my future.

Chris 

[mattcb350f]

I'm new to the game, but if I remember right, the points assembly on either 2-3 or 1-4 move independently of the entire timing plate. You set one of the sets buy moving the whole plate and then you move the point assembly of the other two cylinders on the timing plate itself to set them.
 Matt.

[Johnie]

Good call Matt.  Yes, per the service manual 1&4 timing is adjusted by loosening the 3 base plate locking screws.  2&3 are adjusted by loosening the 2 base plate screws for points that are on the right side.

[Chris Liston]

You guys are right.  1-4 timing is adjusted with the main plate (3 screws).  2-3 timing plate sits on this and is adjusted separately.  The points adjustments are separate from the timing adjusts for 1-4 and 2-3. 

[TwoTired]

Are these old points or new?  If the rubbing block on the points is worn, it can limit travel, which translates to adjustment woes.

Basically, if the point gap changes, so does timing.  Since one half of the points is attached to the timing plate, if it moves (changes distance from the point cam), so does point gap.  When the timing plate is loosened the plate can be moved by the spring tension of the points riding on the points cam.  Check to see if the points plate moves around in the mounts while there is no tension on the points springs.  If so, you've found the source of your timing woes, as the entire points plate moves around and in different positions when the engine is reved.  In th e FAQ is a shim description that stabilizes the points plate, to accurately adjust the timing plate while the engine is running.  If you run out of adjustment travel, shim the plate at a different mount post.

Cheers,

[Chris Liston]

As far as I can tell they are the original points.  They have 16k on them at the moment. 

TT, I just read the FAQ you mentioned.  Do you shim 1 of the 3 main plate bolt mounts or the 1-4 points plate? 

[TwoTired]

You might consider replacing the points.  They are getting on for wear, I'd expect, particularly if the points cam hasn't kept well lubed and the points contact surfaces have become cratered.

The adjustment shim is wedged between the points plate and one of the mount posts to eliminate lateral movement of the points plate.


Cheers,

[Chris Liston]

Just found a set of points/condensors I bought a few years ago and never installed.  They are Sudco brand.  Any good.  They are brand new.  I'm going to install them tonight and give it another go.

[TwoTired]

Sudco has their own brand?  Or, do they distribute some other manufacturer?
Any mfg stampings on them or the packaging?
Couldn't hurt to try them if you already got them, right?

I've gotten my points from Honda.

Cheers,

[Chris Liston]

They are Daiichi Brand points and condensors.  Sudco sticker was in the sealed bag they came in.  Made in Japan stamped on them.

[TwoTired]

I don't have any of those brand.  They're still likely to be better than old used ones.

Hondaman posted about them.
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=15948.msg214497;topicseen#msg214497


Cheers,

[Chris Liston]

GOT it TIMED.

Well, after running through all the FAQ's and posts and of course this post.  I finally got it timed spot on.

The main plate is turned all the way to the right though with no more room to go but 1-4 are spot on and 2-3 are spot on.   Points gap is .013 on the original Honda points.  Figured I'd give it a go with the those first and swap out the new ones.  Now that I have the procedure down I may swap out the old points in a day or two.

Is the main plate all the way to the right okay? Or should I increase or decrease point gap to get the plate to move to the left abit?

Thanks for everyone help and TT for the pm's back and forth.

Chris

[TwoTired]

The main plate needs to be in a position to give you correct timing.  That's it!

Now, you are an experienced mechanic!   

Cheers,