Fritz Maurer
Well-known Member
Many years ago, when I was overhauling my F-12, someone was making new crankshaft gears. Since the teeth on mine were razor sharp, I purchased one. After trying to start it for two days, I eventually figured out the timing mark was stamped in the wrong place. After timing it by trial-and error, I got to a point where it was close, but one tooth in either direction was too much or not enough. Flip the gear over,same deal. Out of four possible choices, I picked the closest one, but the piston is well down the cylinder before the intake opens. (In this setting, the original timing mark is about 45 degrees away from the cam gear). It is hard to start and sounds like crap on the rare occasion that it does start. I want to try this again, by cutting a new slot in the gear. I figure I can position the cam between exhaust and intake on No. 1, install the gear on the crank without a key, turn the crank to the desired timing, and transfer the position of the keyseat to the gear. The question is, do I want to be top dead center halfway between exhaust and intake, or do you recommend a number of degrees one way or the other?Thanks, Fritz
