1997 Big Bear 350 4x4 Timing Issue

[bigbear1]

Replaced bad stator, have spark now but timing appears to be off. Pulled timing cover, reset timing to Clymer manual specs and tested again. About broke my hand using pull start. Still appears to be out of timing. Removed head from jug and inspected. With the timing gear attached to the crankshaft, valves appear to be opening and closing correctly. Is it normal to have about a 1/4 turn of play before the 1st valve opens? Any ideas on how to get the timing correct?

[DirtDemon]

Check the shear key on the flywheel, if the key is sheared and the timing is off just a bit, you get that snap-back on the starter like that. I am not sure exactly what you mean by 1/4 turn of play. Are you saying you turn the crank about 1/4 turn before the valve opens, or you turn 1/4 turn before the cam starts to move. The cam should move immediately when you rotate the crank. If you turn the motor backwards, you may get some slack and the cam won't turn right away. Make sure you are turning the motor in the same direction that the wheels would turn if you were going forward. Turn the motor all the way around the in the correct direction and stop on the TDC mark without turning the motor back the other way. Wait a few, then start turning it again and watch to make sure the camshaft starts turning with the crank, it will turn slower as it only revolves once for every two revolutions of the crank, but it should start turning as soon as the crank does. If your cam does not move right away, you may have a stretched timing chain or a bad timing chain tensioner.

[lawny]

Your stator should have adjustment. When you installed the new one, did you try loosening the screws and adjusting? Slotted holes should allow this. Not positive on your machine.

[DirtDemon]

That is a good point Lawny. There should also be a timing plate on the old stator, that will set the timing at the stock location, the new stator may have come with its own I guess. Either way, make sure you have the timing plate, if there is one, installed correctly.