Static timing light question

houseowax · Post by **houseowax** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:02 pm

Actually the questions are piling up as I get further along into this project but I'll take this one step at a time.
I recently 'rebuilt' my CA77 engine - needed to hone cylinders and replace head gasket but dropped timing chain into crankcase and needed get into the bottom end to retrieve it. While there I cleaned everything out thoroughly, checked for obvious signs of wear etc. followed Silver's rebuilding instructions to the letter and felt quite good and confident about what I'd accomplished. Cue the violins...

Got everything bolted back together and a freshly charged battery in place. Brand new plugs too. New fuel line. Tried to kick it over and... Nothing.
Pulled the plugs and checked them for spark. Left side yes, right side no. Tried to swap spark plugs to make sure it wasn't the plugs. That wasn't it- but when I swapped back I got no spark at all on either side. Frustrating, esp as the electrical system confuses me more than anything and I'm I'll equipped to diagnose an electrical prob.

Then I went to check the timing with a static timing light. Set my points gap put an alligator clip to the points and to neutral, started cranking the 14mm bolt. The light came on and stayed on throughout the entire rotation. I could see the points opening and closing but there was no interruption in current. Anybody give me a hint? I'm growing frustrated and want more than anything to get a ride in before it gets too cold. Even around the block would give. E th incentive I need to continue

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:14 pm

That says the points aren't making contact. If they were, you would not get 12V across them and the light would go off. I'd check for any grease or oil in the points. Rotate the cam until the points are closed, then drag something like a business card through them. You may get a smudge of grease. Make sure you set the points to .014" when they are at their most open position, and that they DO make contact when closed. Then get back to us...
-48

Tango911 · Post by **Tango911** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:32 pm

just because the plugs are new, doesnt mean one couldnt be bad, check the working spark plug on the other side. also check your plug wire/cap. unscrew the cap, snip off about 1/8 of an inch of wire and re screw the cap back on. just a thought.

Snakeoil · Post by **Snakeoil** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 2:53 pm

I agree with 48. I'd take it one step further and clean them with something like acetone or lacquer thinner. Put the business card in the solvent and run it thru them. Keep doing it until it comes out clean each time. Piece of dry white paper run between them closed should come out clean. Paper is actually a bit abrasive and will clean them as well.

regards,
Rob