First engine fire - scared to death!

[Wadmin1021]

Hey man, there was a time when all of you didn't know as much as you do now! At least I'm trying to learn so I can help my husband instead of sitting in the house filing my nails! LOL!


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[RzeroB]

This is a common area where many people make a mistake. Review the basic four stroke cycle process and you will see that TDC happens twice in a "cycle"... Once at intake/exhaust stroke and once at compression/power stroke. It is the camshaft that determines which is which (2 crank rotations to one cam rotation). You want to set the base timing at 20 deg BTDC on the compression stroke. There are a few methods of finding the compression stroke. One method is to remove #1 spark plug and place your thumb over the plug hole. Crank the engine slowly until you feel compression pressure against your thumb. Then rotate the crank manually in the direction of rotation until the 20 deg BTDC mark on the balancer lines up. This is where to set your base ignition timing for start up. Hope this helps!

Here is a link to an animation of the basic process:

http://www.animatedengines.com/otto.html

To add to the above, another easy way to make sure you are on the compression stroke is to remove the left valve cover and follow the valve action for #1. As the TDC line on the crank damper comes around and lines up on with the 20 deg BTDC mark on the timing tab both #1 rocker arms should be closed and loose. If the exhaust is closing and the intake starting to open, you're at the top of the exhaust stroke and need to rotate the crank another full revolution to get to the compression stroke.   

[734406pk]

To add to the above, another easy way to make sure you are on the compression stroke is to remove the left valve cover and follow the valve action for #1. As the TDC line on the crank damper comes around and lines up on with the 20 deg BTDC mark on the timing tab both #1 rocker arms should be closed and loose. If the exhaust is closing and the intake starting to open, you're at the top of the exhaust stroke and need to rotate the crank another full revolution to get to the compression stroke.

  Yes that is the "companion cylinder"  method. It might be a bit more complicated for a newbe IMO. ??

[Wadmin1021]

Well yes I am a newbie but we built the entire motor ourselves, (scary right?), so I learned a lot about the internal workings of the motor. All of these are such helpful answers and will help us ensure a successful first start.


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[734406pk]

Well yes I am a newbie but we built the entire motor ourselves, (scary right?), so I learned a lot about the internal workings of the motor. All of these are such helpful answers and will help us ensure a successful first start.


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We were all newbies once, Kudos to building your own engine! There are not many who would have even attempted this adventure, you have my respect! There are different procedures to phasing a distributor, some basic and time consuming, and some advanced and quick. I'm recommending to you the basic method, as taught to me many years ago, so it will be easy to understand based on the four stroke cycle, multi-cylinder engine design. Post your questions as needed, i know this first fire up is stressful.    

[blown motor]

Please, please, please video the start up. I'm certain there are a lot of us following your build process. I admire your courage. 

[twalker]

Please, please, please video the start up. I'm certain there are a lot of following your build process. I admire your courage. 

Yes!  I'm getting ready to do the same thing in a month or so...


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[BIGSHCLUNK]

    

[Wadmin1021]

We will def be videoing the start up and I will be sure to share it with all - good or bad! Thanks everyone for all the supportive answers and help with all my questions!


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[Chryco Psycho]

 
 Well !!

[twalker]

 Well !!

What he said!


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[roadman5312]

               

[shawge]

 

[twalker]

Suspense is killing us!


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[Topcat]