Re: Timing marks 1955 Bigtwin

[RICHARD A. WHITE]

I am with you Zephyr, I always just set the points at .02 and called it good. Until I heard about Frank making those tools. I got into a very enlightening discussion on JOM discussion board on this very subject. Where I was, to say the least, enlightened. This is what I have learned.

Using a feelers gage one can get it close and the motor will run. Might or might not idle well, might or might not start easy.
Using Frank’s timing tool and an analog ohm meter will get you much closer, now motor will most definitely start easier and idles bunches better.
I went even further, I have bought one of these:
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/ep … onizer.php
Here is what I understand, and is is more than likely overkill.
The ohm meters check to see when the points open, nice to know, the magneto syncronizers tell you the moment of magnetic disconnect, which by all electronic smart guys is NOT the same point, they are close but NOT the same. Finding that point of magnetic disconnect vs the points "breaking" could be up to a degree or two of difference. Notice I said "could be". Using the ohm meter and the timing tool will get you very good results. I went one step further, the results were absolute crazy the difference in idle using a feelers gage vs. the timing tool and the Mag syncronizer. That 15hp, 1956 Johnson idled so low with 3 persons in my 14 Starcraft, the boat barley moved. Ask Greg Gardner, or Sherm Caldwell, they were in the boat with me.

Bottom line, get the timing tools and at least a good ohm meter. You will see a difference.
Respectfully
Richard White

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com