F14 timing

got to get this old farmal going for a friend had to find a new mag so now have the problem of finding the timing marks for # 1 piston top dead centre so i can instal this mag is it on the fly wheel or the front pulley thanks for your help mike

I use the old fashioned technique. I take #1 sparkplug out, and the valve cover off, and I get #1 cylinder on TDC. You want for the piston to be on the down stroke, with the intake valve open. Continue to turn the engine until the piston arrives at the top dead center ( I use a piece of #12 wire through the spark plug hole to determine that). Once TDC has been determined, then I time the mag.

relatively simple, and accurate process.

What Tom said. The marks BTW are on the flywheel, seen through a hole in the bottom, but somehow mine was off, so I just used a method similar to Toms.

Uh, I kinda lied. I actually take all 4 spark plugs out. the engine turns much easier.........forgot to metntion that.

Mike, Most times you can't find or see the timing mark to rusty or cruded over. Go with Toms system find #1 TDC than go from there.
oldiron29

thanks guys will give this a try on the weekend mike

When I timed my F-12 I went by the timing marks, but than it would never start. So I went the method Tom mentioned. I turned it till #1 was just past TDC on Compression stroke. Than I turned the mg till the impulse released past #1 point. Than turned the mag back about 3/8 inch, moverd the timing disc and mounted. After that she fired on the first 1/2 crank.

OK, I've got to chime in here. First there are two holes in the flywheel housing. The one on the bottom is a drain hole for any oil leakage from the rear main. The second is located just below the left frame rail as you are standing on the left side of the tractor at the clutch pedal. The timing marks on the flywheel are visible through this hole. Now, there are several good ideas being expressed but, here's what's worked for me. Remove the #1 spark plug (assuming a complete engine with the valve cover on). Slowly crank the engine over with your left hand while holding your thumb over the spark plug hole. When you feel pressure trying to push your thumb away you are coming up on the compression stroke of the engine. Using a flashlight you can see when the piston is nearing the top of its stroke. When it appears the piston has stopped moving, very, very slowly crank the engine over. Crank a little, look for the timing mark in the timing hole below the frame rail. Crank again, just a little bit and look again. A couple of other indications are the crank handle is at about 5 o'clock looking at the front of the tractor and the crank pin on the front pulley is at a horizontal position. When all three of these conditions exist, the pointer on the distributor disk should be at the #1 position. If not, unbolt the mag, slide it back, turn the rotor until it is at #1 and then change the adjustable drive to match the mag. You may have to insert a nail in through the front oil hole to "unlock" the sprag on the impulse coupling to get it to turn where you want it. Remember the two bolts have to be exactly 180 degrees opposite. Don't forget to pull the nail! BTDT. Hope this helps. Sorry for the long post.