Timing problem

[monfortzoo]

I need Help! I have been tring to time my 81 xs1100 But the only thing I have is a 79 repair manual for referance. The timeing in the manual is different from whats on the bike. Can some one give me the timing marks for the cam to the timing gear also on the crakn shaft area. do I use "T" or "C" marks. I am about to throw in the towel. I put the new coils I bought from xs mike shop. I have spark, I hope I have them hooked up right.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Monfort,

For setting the cam chain tensioner, you use the "C" mark as per the tech tips!

BUT, for the actual valve timing, you use the "T" mark which is TDC for #1 cylinder, then you align the timing dots on the cams to straight up! You said you have gotten the new coils and installed them.

Not sure why you need the timing info, UNLESS you've taken the cams out, or have replaced the cam chain? You don't want to be turning the engine around IF the cam chain is not already in. You would want to have removed the cams so NO valves are sticking down, have the spark plugs out, and then rotate the crank to the "T" mark, then put the cams back in and align the marks, and reattach the cam and sprockets!

Are you just trying to verify that your cams are in proper time and have not skipped a tooth? IF so, then do the cam chain tensioner setting first if it wasn't taken apart. Then check the timing. The dots can sometimes be a "little" off position by a few degrees so not perfectly 12 Oclock, but should not be a whole tooth distance/degrees worth off! HTH!
T.C.

[trbig]

As TC said, use the "T" mark and then line up the dot on the cam shoulder and the arrow on your #3 bearing cap like this....





IF they are out of time and you have been turning it over to check for spark... Now would be a good time to see if you have compression. If it wasn't, it's very easy to bend valves.


Tod

[raqumup]

hey the manual you have has not been changed by pen the ignition timming spec. is incorrect. i beleve the book says 31 deg. for the timming light, there is a Technical Bulletin out to change it to 36 deg, i have all the technical Bulletins i beleve it is all of them, i spent several hours searching for them, i went to bike shops and everyone said good luck, but i found them. i dont know the websight but i have them on my computer if you want send me a PM with you e-mail and i can send them to you if you want.