Some tips / hints at timing the PAMCO E-Advancer:
1. Be sure your idle speed is at or below 1200 RPM. The E-Advancer introduces advance starting at 1300 RPM, so any idle speed above 1200 will cause you to adjust the plate to eliminate this advance, and you may run out of room before you do.
2. Your timing light works best with a negative spark plug voltage. The dual output coil produces that on just one of the plug wires, the other one will be positive, which can cause the timing light to be erratic or false timing indications. This is true for any ignition using a dual output coil, not just the PAMCO. Try using the other plug wire.
3. There is a slight amount of free play in both the magnet rotor and the cap that replaces the advancer. Try holding either or both of these in the opposite direction needed when tightening the shaft nuts to move the timing within range.
4. A loose timing chain or a worn out timing chain can put the timing mark out of the desired adjustment range. Correct whatever is the issue with your timing chain before attemptiong to set the timing.
5. Those fancy, expensive timing lights with the built in advance preset should not be used as they can introduce unwanted delays in the flash of the timing light. Set them to zero or don't user them. This is true for any ignition installed in the XS650 or any motorcycle engine.
6. Setting the timing with an aftermarket PMA alternator rotor can be challenging as many of them do not have a key way to locate the rotor on the crankshaft, or the markings supplied by the manufacturer are not accurate. If you are experiencing problems setting the timing with a PMA setup, suggest that you temporarily reinstall the factory rotor to set the timing.
7. The timing is set at idle speed or below. Exactly the place where a PMA can be most troublesome as far as producing a reliable pure DC voltage. This can cause the E-Advancer to recycle due to the low voltage, producing an erratic timing indication. Disconnect the PMA and use a battery to power the PAMCO when setting the timing.
8. All of the advancer caps are made by the same CNC machine so it is very unlikely that one out of a batch of 100 would be cut incorrectly. However, it is possible for the hole in the camshaft that is used for the locating pin can be worn from age so it does not hold the locating pin firmly, allowing the cap to move out of its proper position. So, just hold the cap in the opposite position from where the timing shows when tightening the nut.
9. For best results, after you have gotten the engine to idle reliably and the timing is in the ball park, try reducing the idle speed to 1,000 RPM as that will be below the speed that the E-Advancer produces any advance. This should also take care of an inaccurate tachometer, many of which are not very good at low engine speed.
10. Sync the carbs before attempting to set the timing. If the carbs are not synced, then it is possible that one of the cylinders is not working at all at idle, so the engine actually slows down when it is time for that cylinder to fire, resulting in an erratic idle speed and subsequent erratic timing.
