Finding TDC for an idiot

[Mikey]

I have watched what I thought were excellent videos on how to set the valves
I use a piece of fuel line inserted into the plug hole and watch the fuel line come up until the piston is close to the top then I go down to the rotor and slowly move it till the top dead center marks line up
I thought I had it right at one time where the valve adjusters had a little play in them so I could get a feeler gauge in them but now not so much
I'll attach a few pictures of what every thing looks like and maybe some one can spot what I'm doing wrong
One final question when the piston is at the top of it cycle both intake and exhaust for that cylinder can be set at the same time?

 

[Jim]

You're overthinkin' it Mikey...
Left cyl.... rotate the crank (ccw... normal direction of rotation) until the intake valve starts to close. Continue rotating until the T marks line up on the rotor and stator. You're at TDC on compression for that cylinder. Go ahead and adjust both intake and exhaust valves.
Now, rotate 360° until the T marks line up again. Set both right valves.... done.

 

[Mikey]

Your right I am overthinking it again
So I don't even need to check if the piston is up?

 

[Mikey]

And in that photo the marks were close but I need to get a dead on view when lining them up

 

[Jim]

So I don't even need to check if the piston is up?

No. if you watch the intake valve close and continue rotating until the T marks line up, the piston ain't got no say in the matter. The crank sez "up." The piston salutes and does what it's told.

 

[Mikey]

Time to go back out and do it the simple way
Thanks for the help !!!!

 

[Jim]

And in that photo the marks were close but I need to get a dead on view when lining them up

Ballpark is good enough. Within a quarter... eighth of an inch is good enough..... yes, looking straight in at 'em.

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

You are quick Jim. I thought I was finally qualified to answer a question and then you answered it.

 

[Mikey]

Yes sir
Oh god I swear I punish myself just so I can get frustrated all over again
Is there a tool I can buy so I don't need to use the adjusting wrench that came with the tool kit ?

 

[Jim]

Is there a tool I can buy so I don't need to use the adjusting wrench that came with the tool kit ?

For what... the valve adjuster? Get a 4mm ignition wrench.

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

I converted those adjusters to the Allen screws so a little Allen wrench is so, so easy by comparison. Not expensive and easy to do.

 

[Jim]

An 1/8" drill bit and a square jewelers file will make a wrench in about ten minutes.....

 

[Mikey]

I converted those adjusters to the Allen screws so a little Allen wrench is so, so easy by comparison. Not expensive and easy to do.

I'll have to see what's out there

 

[gggGary]

An 1/8" drill bit and a square jewelers file will make a wrench in about ten minutes.....


View attachment 211149

yup what I did.
the cam naturally stops centered between the lobes on the "other side" and that's plenty good enough for setting valves.

 

[Mikey]

Ok another question when loosening the adjuster counter clockwise to loosen / increase the Gap
It seems like I've moved it a lot but still no correct size gap
At one time when I was sure it was at TDC
It was easy to get the feeler guage in and it slightly lifted the rocker
I may have over adjusted the shit out of it too
It just seemed like there was a little free play. It's now sold intake and exhaust
Time to loosen some more

 

[gggGary]

make sure you aren't adjusting the "wrong side" !!

 

[Mikey]

It's now solid not sold

 

[gggGary]

Check, are the other cylinder valves loose now?

 

[Mikey]

But if I watch the left intake start to go down and then continue rotating ccw until the TDC marks line up. Good to go?

 

[gggGary]

Yes should be.