Lister d timing (again)

Hi I'm new to this and need a few pointers , firstly on the score matks on the flywheel is the TDC at the beginning of the score or the end of it? and when I tried starting it, the engine seemed to backfire down through the carburettor intake, the handbook suggests putting a hand over the ...large opening? of the inlet is this the part that has a pull up stem through it? loads of questions i know but it would help if i had the answer to be getting on with. hopeful regds
Andy.

hi andy...
you need the doctor..IAN WEBB..hes the feller who sorts them out..
give him a shout...ask any one....there tell you..
regards...mike...

Agree call the Doctor lol

Not quite certain what you mean Andy but it is the lightning (or Harry Potter!) mark that you need for setting the ignition timing, not TDC. If however the lightning mark is not visible then you WILL need to find TDC, rotate the engine until the crankshaft/flywheel keyway is at the 6 o clock position ie at the bottom. Mark the both flywheel and cylinder block with chalk etc somewhere easily visible to you so that you know where TDC is and then (for a standard right hand rotation D type) mark just the flywheel about 11/2" to the right of the TDC mark. Turn the flywheel anti clockwise until your new mark aligns with the chalk mark on the crankcase and that will be approximately the ignition point, it isn't too critical for 'our' use. The points should just be opening then, if not loosen the LOWER sprocket nut on the mag drive and adjust accordingly. Hope this garbage helps, if not the ask again.

Pete.

you know the score abes..you have seen him at work....lol

regards...mike...

follow what pete says that is a good way how to time a D type .

Ushally works for many engines .... all mine are times by guesswork . Just before tdc allways works fine for me and if needed to be tweeked it can be done after .

matt

OK, I'm digging this one up from the dead (but still warm)....

I see you say to loosen the lower sprocket? I would've thought it was the mag sprocket you loosen as it's on a taper.

We tried to get my nephews' D type going yesterday, with little success. It popped a couple of times, we also had a bang & some flames out the exhaust (exciting) & she ran for a second or two. We eventually put it down to a very sloppy mag chain, making accurate timing almost impossible.

Obviously ours is very corroded, especially the flywheel. The chances of any timing marks being visible are just non-existent. I forgot all about the keyway on the shaft ( ) I poked a thin screwdriver in the plug hole & felt for the tiny dome on the piston, but it's easily missed, so again not very accurate.

But seriously, the mag chain is so sloppy we thought it might jump a tooth or just come off!

Any thoughts???

Matt you need to shim the mag up so as to take some of the slack out of the chain. They fit between the mag and the mag bracket.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lister-d-/140890763603?pt=UK_BOI_FarmingEquipment_RL&hash=item20cdbe7153

Stu.

There are already 3 shims in there, I think this would need so many shims the bolts wouldn't be long enough. Might be time to look for a new chain.

Both sprockets are on tapers but the lower one will stand more loosening/tightening than the magneto one which is easily stripped.

Pete.

Foden wrote:Both sprockets are on tapers but the lower one will stand more loosening/tightening than the magneto one which is easily stripped.

Pete.

Thanks Pete.

I've ordered a new chain, from stationaryengineparts.com (off their eBay shop), quite reasonably priced, just hope it fits OK.