Got spark but won't start

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Ok, I guess I had the coils right the first time. I'll switch them back. Do you think it wise to just go ahead and buy a new set of points?

Is there any way to check compression without a compression gauge? I'm guessing no.

Just checked the points gap. Measured at .4mm on left side and .3 on right side. The right side definitely has better spark than the left.

Fiber insulators are fine.

Follow the link and download the 20meg pdf KZ650 Shop Manual...

jarlef.no/Kawasaki/Series/Z/650/z650files.htm

OMR

Awesome link, thanks OMR!

Well I found 2 things working against me.
1. Just checked the points gap. Measured at .4mm on left side and .3 on right side. The right side definitely has better spark than the left. Tried to adjust the gap on the left side with the timing screws and the gap didn't change no matter how far I moved it up or down.
2. I also pulled the carbs to see what kind of jets they had and found they already have 115 main jets-- that were clogged pretty badly. The inside of the carbs and bowls didn't appear to have much build up at all, but the mains were definitely dirty.

So do you think new points and a carb cleaning might do it?


Patton wrote:

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btkz650 wrote:

...Tried to adjust the gap on the left side with the timing screws and the gap didn't change no matter how far I moved it up or down...

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Gap and timing are two separate adjustments.

Gap screws are for adjusting the gap, not for timing.

Timing screws are for adjusting the timing, not for gap.

Always adjust gap before adjusting timing.

Should assure correct valve clearances before attempting to tune carbs.

Even perfect carbs can't compensate for deficiencies in ignition or compression or fuel supply.

Good Fortune!

I downloaded a diagram somewhere that had the timing screws labeled by color as the screws to adjust the gap but saw that wasn't working and put it back where it was. I've got both sides adjusted at .3mm now. I'm working on getting a compression gauge now but figured I'd clean the carbs until I can get it.
Thanks again Patton. Hope I'm not being too much of a pain.

Question 1:
When taking the carbs off to clean them, I found someone had filed the point down on air screw for the #1 cylinder carb as if it were a pencil you could sharpen. And the spring was missing on the same screw. The rubber o-rings on each of the air screws were practically gone as well. I replaced all the o-rings but have to wait for the air screws to come in that I ordered. Could this be the sole source of the problem? If not, I'm sure it's not helping.
Question 2:
I tried turning the lights off while hitting the starter button to see the spark on the points better. It was intermittent at best, but I'm not sure how it's suppose to look when it's right. Think I may have messed it up when I loosened the timing screws by mistake to adjust the gap. I thought I got it back where it was but now I'm not so sure. Both points are now set at .3mm and I have good spark at the plugs. I'm at about 11.92 volts at the coils with my weak battery. How do I make sure it's timed properly and if I need new points?

Just to clarify: The air screws I was referring to are the ones that come up through the bottom of the bowls and into the carb throat, right? Does anyone have a photo pointing out the pilot jets? Are they the ones under the float tabs?

Are the carbs like these 1978 KZ650 carbs?

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Good Fortune!

Exactly. The red arrow shows the hole where the screw I'm talking about is not marked on the diagram.