TDC question

My first post here will be a stupid question, but I lost my manual!

1982 GPz 550

Does the "pointer" line up with the "T" at TDC, or does it line up with the "|" that is next to the "T"?

Thats sadly all I need to know to finish my bike today...

Thanks, looks like you guys have a nice site, and I see a few familar faces/names here....

Any chance You could post a pic?
I'm not familiar with the 550,but maybe a pic would help?...

And Welcome to KZR!

Hi and welcome Handegard. I'm not sure if yours is like mine but I don't think there is a lot of variation. On mine there is an F to the right of that is a line, that line is the F mark. To the right of the F mark is another line, then a T. The line directly to the left of the T is the T mark. So to answer your question the line is your alignment mark. Sorry you didn't get an answer sooner but I was working on getting mine running.
Good luck
RonJ

I pretty sure it's the "T". Unless the "I" is the marker for the "T" sorry, not much help I'm sure. Any pics?

I doubt I have a snowballs chance of getting a picture through that little hole, but what the heck, I'll give it a shot [*grin*]

Thanks much ronjones, I think you answered my question. To clarify for everyone, this is what I have:

T | F |


I first timmed the cam to "T", but the lines got me thinking that the "T" is just a lable, and the "|" is my mark.

Any thoughts?

the line is the mark

I think top dead center is exactly right under the "T". When you"re timing it you line your marks inside the center of the "F". Just to be sure pull the plugs and turn the engine with a wrench and put a straw or dowel in the #1 cylinder and rotate the motor slowly to see exactly where TDC is.

Vach, His question doesn't make it clear whether he is doing ignition timing or setting up the cam chain timing. If it is the cam chain timing, the mark next to the T is the correct one... TDC. If the fella is doing ignition timing, with a timing light, he should be using the mark next to the F... if static ignition timing, the T mark again.

I read his question as meaning cam chain timing... USE THE | next to the T if that is the case. Line this mark up with the mark on the engine cases. The advice to stick a pencil in the #4 plug hole is fine BUT you will also feel the piston crown at the F mark although it will be down just a shade but if you are not experienced, you probably won't be able to tell the difference.

Thanks everyone!

I'm installing my cams, as wiredgeorge guessed.

The cams are all installed and timmed, its just been awhile since I did this last.

Now I just need torque specs for the head and cam bolts, and I'll put my baby back on the road!

YAY!

Thanks all...

.

If you are doing the cams, don't forget to remove or release the tension from the cam-chain tensioner before bolting down the valve cover. Also, see my signature for a link to a manual for the 550 motors.

Also, since you are doing the cam timing, in case it came up, the Clymer 550 manual has the wrong spec for camchain stretch limit. For 20 links of chain (that is the distance between the centers of 21 pins), the length is 128.9mm (5.07").

You can download the manual here for now:
manual

Post edited by: loudhvx, at: 2007/04/15 14:58

wiredgeorge wrote:

Vach, His question doesn't make it clear whether he is doing ignition timing or setting up the cam chain timing. If it is the cam chain timing, the mark next to the T is the correct one... TDC. If the fella is doing ignition timing, with a timing light, he should be using the mark next to the F... if static ignition timing, the T mark again.

I'm not sure why he would he use the T mark for static timing?

I'm pretty sure, either way, static or dynamic, firing is set at F not T.
At higher RPM it's at the 1-4 mark.

Post edited by: loudhvx, at: 2007/04/15 13:49