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Need help with magneto timing

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

I'm trying to get an Oliver Crawler running. Not sure of the year, I belive early 50s. I don't have a manual, just trying to help a friend. At first the crawler had no spark, I changed plugs, wires, condenser and cleaned the mangeto. I now have spark to all plugs but it only fires on two cylinders. I have compression and the valves open and close. I did notice some discoloration inside the distributor cap, but I have spark to all plugs? When replacing the plugs and wires I drew a diagram but I'm second guessing it now. (dose anyone know the firing order and location of #1 wire on the cap?) And then the mangeto timing, how is this procedure done? I brought #1 cylinder to TDC, lined up the timing marks on the rotor and gear, turned the rotor to #1 plug wire and reinstalled the magneto, still fires on two cylinders.....confused!!!
 
Only firing on two cylinders sound like a FIRING ORDER problem, NOT a timing problem.

Have you identified WHICH two cylinders aren't firing?

If so, swap those two spark plug wires.

If that doesn't fix it, post back with more info... model # of machine, size of engine, etc..
 
you must have the firing order going in the wrong direction. 4 cyls. are usually 1342.that would make it hit on only #1and#4 cyls.
 
Thanks for the reply, The two forward cylinders were firing. I did swap plug wires and was able to get the two back cylinders to fire, then I had nothing on the front two. I'll try to get more info, other than its an old green Oliver crawler. I looked for tags and sereal numbers yesterday, wasn't able to find much info besides engine casting nunbers. I'll check the web for info.
 
Thanks I'll check. Looking at the diagram I made when I replaced plug wires I have the firing order as 1234. Dosen't sound right?
 
Leave the front two wires (#1 and #2) where they were when those two cylinders were firing.

Swap ONLY the back two wires (#3 and #4) with each other.

GOOD LUCK!
 
Leave the front two wires (#1 and #2) where they were when those two cylinders were firing.

Swap ONLY the back two wires (#3 and #4) with each other.

GOOD LUCK!
 
Thanks Hal I belive the rotor turns oppisite the engine, which would be clock wise. It looks like I'm backwards on 3&4 cylinders. I'll give it a try..thanks
 
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