Timing Mark
 

Motor: Kohler K321 with Starter Generator and battery ignition.

Should the "S" mark be centered in the hole or should the line above the "S" mark be centered to line up with the notch on the bearing plate?

Which photo is correct?

second photo :beerchug:

I thought so. But why does everyone say to "center the S or SP mark in the hole"? When you really should be lining up the marks or lining up the lines.

Not all engines have the lines. Some only have a hole and a stamp mark.

Besides, the difference isn't but maybe 1°, so it's not that critical.

What would happen if you static timed the engine using picture #1?

It would run.

If you line it up as in picture #1, then the timing would be retarded by only a few degrees. The engine would certainly run, but what ill effects would this have on the engine and its components over the long haul? Would the engine run hot? Would the engine be difficult to tune correctly?

If it mattered at all, I would have said so. Like I said, it's maybe 1°. Now if your talking about 3°-5°..... you'll start noticing some changes. On the pics you posted, the line by the "S" mark is supposed to be in line with the line on the housing. Set it there and you don't have to worry about what happens if it's not. :beerchug:

FWIW, I'd rather err on the side of advanced 1-2° than retarded.

Hate to :beatdeadhorse: but my flywheel does not have the timing marks of any kind never mind the ones shown in the OP pictures. I was trying to set the static timing this weekend and could not find a mark/line/paint....Nothing. So I just watched the contacts and set them at there largest opening. I have not yet tried to start the tractor so I figured I would ask as I am waiting for my carb rebuild kit to get here.

It does. You just have to find them. They all do. Sometimes they just hide. I've heard guys say this 100X. They're there...... I don't remember what tractor your working on...... help me out, and I can give you some ideas how to find them.

Jonathan is correct--they all have the marks. I've had trouble finding them, too. Remove the shroud if you have to and use a scotchbrite pad around the perimeter of the flywheel. The marks will magically appear. Paint them white or yellow.

On the other hand, I've set the timing with a feeler gauge on the points for 35 years. It wasn't until a couple years ago that I learned the static timing method--from the guys on this forum (of course I COULD have read the service manual, but I didn't know enough to look for that procedure).

So, set the points to 20 mils, and it'll run. It might backfire after shutting down, or might be hard to start when cold, but it'll run.

127. Since I have 0 history of this tractor and it stopped running last week I figured now was the time to do a complete tune up. I pulled the head, checked the valve gap, cleaned the carbon, replaced the points. While I had the head off I brought the piston to TDC and looked in the timing hole and nothing. I rolled the engine thinking I was off one stroke and still nothing. I sanded down the flywheel and still nothing. I guess the next step is to pull the shroud and look with my reading glasses on.

With the piston at TDC, there should be a mark. (For the record, it wouldn't matter if you are on the incorrect stroke..... you turned the motor one revolution.... think about it. :biggrin2:)

NOTE: The "S" mark is before TDC.

Are you sure you're looking in the right hole? I seem to remember my k301's having the inspection hole in the side of the shroud rather than on the rear plate. So you'd be looking at the side of the flywheel rather than the back of it. My k161 has the hole in the plate like shown above. Illustration is on page 1-34 of chassis service manual for the 127

J-Mech
Yep you are correct. I think I was thinking about compression stroke.

Alvy
Great manual, I had not found that one yet. But yes that is the hole I was looking in. I will give it another look tomorrow evening.

I never found my T-marks until I had the engine apart for repainting. On my K341, the marks were so faint the OEM paint had filled them up to be basically invisible. Once you locate, use an awl or something to scribe them deeper.

Good call Saturn. I wire wheel them up or sand, and then use a paint marker to mark them.

Finally found it. I used J-Mech's Technical Tuesday timing post and found where the "S" should be and sure enough with a little sand paper like magic the "S" showed right up. I then used J-Mech's static timing procedures and the tractor came to life the within first two rotations of the engine.:beerchug:

Glad you got it! Glad I could help...... :Huh:...... :beerchug::ThumbsUp:

I have a k 301 and I can't seem to find the hole in the plate to even be able to see a timing mark. Mine seems to run hot and it blows flames from the exhaust after I Rev it up them let off.

This is the post I used, worked like a champ. http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=33461
The hole it on the right side of the engine behind the S&G right above the frame.