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I borrowed a mates timing light to do my timing as I am systematically doing things as I go along.
Long story short, timing was at 4 BTDC. Sticker under bonnet say 6 BTDC, Gregorys manual says 8 ± 2 BTDC. I put it to about 7 just to be on the safe side.

I followed the procedure for the light, made sure the arrow was pointing the right way etc on lead for cylinder 1. No probs.
Thought I would look at what the other cylinders look like against the timing mark. Cylinders 3 & 4 were the same. Cylinder 2 however, could not see the timing mark at all??!!!!!!!
Could this mean that I dont have the cable attached to the spark plug properly, Spark plug is rooted, or something more sinister??????
If it's normal, phew:D . If not, looks like I am saving some biccies for a trip to the auto electrician .


OK. Not so short story.

When I got the brumby, I replaced the spark plugs and leads just because they were easy to do and as you can see, I just want to replace things periodically to make it reliable and good.


Slightly off topic, my alternator (or at least somewhere near it) sounds like it has a ticking noise coming from it. Is it worth replacing it or just deal with it?

Was the light not firing for No2? or when it fired it was on a bare spot of flywheel? Alternator bearings or the idle bearing needs replacing. Take off the belt and spin it by hand and listen for noise, or use a screwdriver aginst the lobe of your ear to listen to the bearings, just touch the alt or idler with the screwdriver tip and you will hear whats going on inside.

light was firing but there was a bare spot on the fly wheel.

Re the alt, worth getting another?? Doesn't look hard to fit another one.

1&2 should show up on the timing mark, 3&4 should come up near the 180deg line. Double check your test. The electronic disty is very good when set up right, but the bushings may be worn.....
New bearings for your Alt will cost about $20.

timing marks really only there for No.1 for ignition timing, but marks on the 180 deg mark can be used when setting tappets AS FAR AS BRUMBYS GO some v config engines use No2 on the timing light for the marks ??