Snowmobile Repair: ignition timing, high octane gas, fuel mixture

Question
I recently replaced the stator in my 98 polaris xc600. After prolonged periods at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle my exhaust gets red hot. Is my timing to far advanced or retarded?

Answer
Hello Chris,

  Most probably, your timing is retarded.  
A lean fuel mixture will overheat your sled quickly, also, so be sure you are not running lean, weather it be clogged jets, or a leaned out mixture screw. The easy way to check this is to richen your jetting a couple of steps. If the overheating is better, you're on the right track. Use high octane gas when you are workin with the timing. It is a good way to add a margin of safety when it comes to detonation.
 There is a lot of misinformation about ignition timing and cooling. Retarded timing contributes to overheating. Advanced timing helps cooling. Bump up your initial timing a few degrees and see if it helps the sled run cooler. It's an easy and practical fix. Of course, if you advance enough to enter pre-ignition or detonation you will start to overheat. Detonation contributes to overheating. If you start to detonate back off the timing. I hope this helps you. Let me know if you have any other questions, and I will be glad to help! Good luck with the sled! --Arcticatman