084 - SETTING THE MAGNETO TIMING

[Duane Scarborough]

Buster,

You'd sure think they'd have a diagram like that.

I finally tracked down a socket that was deep enough and thin enough to pull the plugs. Everything I had was either not deep enough, or too thick.

A Craftsman's 1/2" drive 12 point deep well 7/8" socket, part number 9-50764 works, but it's almost too thick. They didn't leave much clearance between the cooling fins and the plugs.

Here's what I've figured out.

The crank gear turns the cam gear. The cam gear turns the magneto gear. The magneto has gears inside. So the magneto GEAR does turn in the same direction as the crankshaft gear. But the magneto ROTOR turns in the opposite direction.

The manual's firing order is correct, and Papee's diagram is correct.

I'll be able to sleep tonight.

[River Rat]

Buster,
What's it doing when you turn it over? Making any popping or spiiting out the carb or exhaust? Did you see fire when you took the plugs out and turned it over?

[buster]

Duane,

I had to re-size one of my 7/8' deep sockets with my bench grinder, it fits now!

I'm sure you are right about CW rotation, that confirms the CW stamped on my mag. Nitey-nite Duane. :P :P

River Rat,

I doesn't do much when I spin it over, once I heard a pop out of the LH exhaust. I am sure it is getting fuel, cause when I choke it the gas drips from the carb. I haven't had time yet to pull the plugs and turn it over, Hopefully in a day or two, been putting off the Honey dew projects ya know

I'll post the results when we get any progress.

Thanks, Dave

[buster]

OK,

By this time I suspect "nobody", thinks my engine will ever actually run. Well, "nobody", would be wrong After checking out all your helpful suggestions, we finally found out what the problems were.

About an hour ago Hank said,"try it again". That time, after ample choking and pumping the gas, I hit the starter once more, and Aircat 084 roared to life! HOORAH

It was only running on three cylinders, but after all this time, that is very encouraging. It appears the main problem was that I never figured out which Mag. terminal was No. 1. It turned out to be the lower left, that is the one nearest the prop. The other problem we still have is that one plug is bad. I think I can handle that.

Thanks a lot for all the help and encouragement guys,
Dave

[Duane Scarborough]

Buster,

I am so happy for you !

Did you mess up your pants when it actually started up?

Yay!!!!

Duane

BTW, how's those mufflers sound?

[Sandman]

Thems pesky plugs.
I'm sure it will purr. Congrats Buster!

[buster]

Duane,

No Duane, I didn't have any problems of that nature, but I did get some sense of relief though.

The mufflers were quieter than I expected, but I guess that's how stock HD mufflers would sound.

It was only running on three, and would not idle much below 1500 rpm. Hank and I agreed, it sounded a lot like a Harley, maybe one and a half Harleys.

Dave

[Duane Scarborough]

"The mufflers were quieter than I expected, but I guess that's how stock HD mufflers would sound."

Dave

Buster,

I've been thinking about this some.

Stock Harley mufflers ARE pretty quiet. Even though the Harley engines are "roughly" the same displacement as a 4A084, they'll put out exhaust pulses twice as big as a 4A084, but half as often. (for a given RPM).

I don't know, but it seems like the stock Harley mufflers would just HAVE to be pretty quiet on a 4A084.

I may have to get back on EBAY.

Thanks,

Duane

[Duane Scarborough]

Buster,

You, and the devil, MADE me do it.

I just snagged these off of EBAY, at a bargain price, in a last minute deal.



Dammit.

No, they aren't STOCK, but they sure do look nice.

Duane

[buster]

Duane,

Ya know, I really think they would look better on an Aircat. If you'd like to trade, I'll pay the shipping And also, I'll deal with the devil for you

Dave

[Duane Scarborough]

Buster,

These are NOT Aircat mufflers. They are MiniPro 116 mufflers. Can't you SEE that?

Let me see what they look like first....

Thanks,

Duane

[buster]

Duane,

Ya,.... whatever you say

Actually they are sharp, but now that I have mine all mounted etc., I guess I don't want to re-do that all again.

Anyway, I like the low noise level, and besides, wifey likes the way they look.
Once I accomplish that, I figure I must have done something right

Dave

[Duane Scarborough]

Buster,

As long as wifey likes the way it looks, you're doing really good.

Duane

[buster]

Duane,

Ya got that right, it don't happen too often

Dave

[airhead]

I have a picture of the tool i made to find TDC on my 084. Duane posted the procedure on page one of this section. It explains how to make the tool but i found a tool in my box that works perfect with some mods. The tool is actually an adaptor for the spark plug hole to air up the cylinder. This one is for tapered plug holes but i already had it so i used it . If i was going to buy one i would get one with a gasket bottom. It would come in handy for removing the valve spring to access one of the head bolts.

#1 is KD tool # 901m1 ( this was hard to make out but i think it is correct )

#2 is a steel fitting from a brake line

#3 is a 5/16 bolt

I hope this will help someone that may be confused about it

Jim

[airhead]

I forgot to mention that the reason for the steel fitting, other than it fits the bolt perfect, is so you can spot weld it to the bolt. In the past i would use a dial indicator with the bolt left free to slide but this way is much easier and no indicator is needed.

Also since i can't find the timing in degrees i will attempt to figure it from the old flywheel. That is unless someone knows already and will share it with us.

Thanks, Jim

[Duane Scarborough]

JIm,

Even though I've not got around to it, I was thinking to find a degree wheel like some of the VW builders and others use.

Or for that matter, once TDC is found, a school kid's protractor could be used to find and then mark the magic spots on the alternator pulley.

Duane

P.S. Check your PM again.