Is THIS the "s" mark for timing?
 

OK, Trying to get my adopted 149 to start and run like I know it should, and while peeking through the sight hole on the shroud to find the marks for setting the timing, I notice two patches on the flywheel that seem to have hatch marks. (I have never read about this before) They are also painted yellow. These seem like clues to me, but I still can't make out the marks. So, I cram my camera in there with a light and take some shots, then blow them up on the computer and I think I see a faint "S". Is this just my fevered imagination?

I can't really make anything out. Let me ask you this as I cannot tell. On your 149 you will have to remove the starter/generator to see the hole in the shroud to see the flywheel and timing marks. Is this where you are looking?

My guess is no...thats not the s mark your looking for, if infact it is an "S" to begin with... it looks squared off....any kohler timing mark i've ever seen is the "rounded" off S....keep looking...you'll find it.

metalrain

Well, I didn't remove the S/G. Even though the hole is behind it, it is below it enough to look in at an angle.

It will probably be easier to remove it to make sure that S is absolutely as dead center in the hole as possible. You may have to use a good flashlight to find the S and then sand it good and hi light it with some white or yellow paint. Once you have that, you will be able to set the points accordingly.

Im far from an expert but:

* I've had to remove the SG to see mine
and
* Both of the one's I've found were NOT obvious...I needed a strong pinpoint light to find it.

One hint. Watch for when the points begin to open, then go look in the hole when the points are approx in that state... it'll narrow down your search if the engine was running at all!

John

No Kohler Timing Marks
 

Similar problem! I have Kohler K321 on a Case 444, with starter/generator system, and I too cannot locate the S mark on the flywheel. The bearing plate has 2 half moon cutouts around the starter/generator but no S mark on the flywheel. This Kohler is on a Case 444. I have removed the blower housing, wire wheeled the surface and looking with trouble light. Based on compression stroke, I can ascertain approximately where the mark should be, but nothing. The black line is where it might be based on TDC.
Also, the bearing plate has a raised line on the inside carb side, hidden by the blower housing but the housing has no sight hole at all.
Can anyone help?

You will find the T and S marks on the forward facing part of the flywheel. You will need to remove the starter and starter bracket to be able to look thru the timing hole to find the marks.

Attachment 38587

I too have a question on the "S" in the hole. Do you set it where the S is centered in the hole or where the line is centered on the hole? I would think you center the line in the hole. Thanks

The best way to set you timing is to use a degree wheel. Most of these cast iron flywheels are getting so old it makes the S impossible to see. Most of the time I have to pull the flywheel and clean it to find the S. Then I take a white paint pen and fill the stamp with paint.

S Timing Mark
 

Thanks DX3! I'm going to the shop today, so I'll check it out and post reply later, maybe with some pics!

S Timing Mark
 

Timing Marks found!!!! Thanks to all who posted!
Pics show T and S marks. Highlighted marks with paint! Hopefully, someone else can find it useful. Not sure why they would hide the sight hole behind starter/generator bracket!

My friend was able to perfectly time my 104 without using the sight hole at all. He just turned the engine over by hand and felt for it. After his work, it started right up and runs smoother than silk. Gosh I wish I had his talent to work on engines!:beerchug:

Cub Cadet 123

S Timing Mark
 

Still do not understand why Kohler would make the sight hole and timing marks to show on the opposite side from the points. Then on top of that, hide it behind the Starter/Generator bracket. That makes timing with a timing light an impossibility. I really like Kohler for a well built engine but what were they thinking.
Anyone shed some light on this.
:bigthink:

This is from Brian Millers web site
"On Kohler flywheels, there should be a T and an S stamped into the edge of the flywheel. Place a bright colored paint mark on the S mark [punched line] on the flywheel. The S mark is located exactly 20° BTDC (above) the T mark. S stands for Spark Advance, which is where the timing is set if the engine is equipped with a one-piece camshaft that has a compression release mechanism. T stands for TDC, which is where the timing sets if the engine is equipped with an older two-piece camshaft with an automatic timing advance. The flywheel may need to be cleaned to see the timing marks. If there is no visible S mark, then it's located exactly 1-5/8" (1.625") above the T mark. Steel flywheels with no timing marks must be degreed-in to create new timing marks"

http://************************.com/ignition.htm

Mike

One of the things I've done in the past is to use the points, as someone previously mentioned, to get the marks in the ball park of the hole. Then get yourself one of them big ol hard gritty ink erasers like you used to get in grade school. Shape the eraser down to fit it in the hole and press it in there against the flywheel and rotate the front pulley back and forth to clean the flywheel up. Take the spark plug out for easier movement. No guar-un-tees but it has worked for me Once I find it I set it right on and use a paint pen and make a mark somewhere on the front pulley and one at the same point on the block. Then if I have to look for it again I just line up those two paint marks and BINGO, there it is.
Hope this helps someone else.