Timing questions.

[Nick762]

I was reading the manual for my 81 185s ad it was not very helpful. Is the "peep hole" the little plug that opens with a flat head on the flywheel housing? It won't come off so I'd ask before attempting to remove it more. And you need a timing light, so can I use my timing light for my car? Same way as I would if I was timing my car? And when do I turn to advance or retard my timing?

[yamaha driver]

i had to gently tap with a dull chisel to get mine to move. not sure on timing i just find tdc and make sure the line on the cdi are matching

[Yamaha_Rules69]

Yes, the standard screwdriver plug. Make sure to use a screwdriver that fits, or better yet, an impact driver, with appropriate bit. The driver has worked every time for me. Also, take off the recoil, it will help to see and line up the "T" or "F" much easier, by turning the flywheel, instead of inching on the pull start handle. Just time the T with the dot on the cam gear, and the pointer on the valve cover. Make sure the pulse generator box points straight up, also, then you should be good to go.

[Nick762]

I'll take a look when I get home from work. Cause I'd have to see it

[Dirtcrasher]

i had to gently tap with a dull chisel to get mine to move. not sure on timing i just find tdc and make sure the line on the cdi are matching

YEP, try a penny/washer in vise grips or a flat faced punch/chisel - gently tap it loose in the lefty loosey direction.

I've broke them with an impact driver. Honda made them very thin.

Use some grease on it when yo re-install it and don't over tighten it.

[yamaha driver]

Rember if you are doing it by lining up the marks take out the spark plug sooo much easyer.

[Nick762]

Chiseled it and it half assed broke a part off, and the slow impact spun it shredded it. Still on there, just all broken. This damn 3wheeler. Is there another way to time it?

[Honda200x.]

What I did to take it off on my 200x when I stripped it is I drilled two small holes on either side without touching the case threads and without going all the way through so I didn't get metal in the case, then I took needle nose pliers and truck them in the holes and twisted, Hope that works.

[WIkid500]

A good snap-on screw driver will solve all of you guy's problems. And no this isn't a tool war type of thing, I've used junk screw drivers and good screw drivers and a snap-on will take things out that others will just round off.

[Nick762]

Really?
The snap on guy always says that but I always assumed he was lying. The snap on vendor is always at my school. Maybe I'll pick up a set.

That's a good idea to drill the holes. I think I'll do that

And the previous owner made a line from the T and F mark so I can do it just by removing the pull start, and line it up with the CDI right?

[WIkid500]

Buy just a number 2 Philips screw driver and give it a try, you will see for yourself :) There's a lot of tools that you don't need from Snap-on, mac and matco are decent as long as you have a guy that comes around, warranty and customer service is key. Tools break and w/o a guy to replace them they are useless in the tool box.

Bring the piston to TDC, both rocker will be loose, line the "O" on the cam gear with the notch on the rocker cover, install outer cam plate, then put the rotor on with the line to the top. Set the pickup that's mounted to the plate somewhere in the middle of the timing range and ride it.

[Dirtcrasher]

I really am firm with tapping it loose with a blunt punch in the lefty loosey direction, every tool box should have some and make sure one is made from brass and tapers down to an 1/8th and a 1/4".

I also agree that both MAC and Snap On make some fantastic screwdrivers that will dig in deep, fit perfectly and also allow you to tap on the head of the screwdriver while working it back and forth, without fear of breakage. There phillips screwdrivers give you the best 1st chance and also the best chance after "Mr. Craftsman" has messed it up. We'd all love the 200$ set with stubbys and the long guys (probably more than that) but sometimes just owning 4 or 5 is enough to get out those "I have one chance to get this out" type screws.

The old phillips case bolts were troublesome at best but an impact screwdriver held firmly, was enough to break them loose. Sometimes you just had to be careful where the pressure was going as it could bend and damage something else; Sometimes snap off small case bosses.

I think just about everything that will clear is an 8MM head now.....