Setting the timing on an engine involves positioning the electrical stator assembly correctly so the ignition coil connected to it generates a spark at the correct time for engine combustion. With timing too late, the engine will flood and the spark plug will foul. If your engine is timing too early, the cylinder could suffer pre-ignition sparking too early, eventually burning a hole in the piston. While electronic set-ups are easy to position correctly, traditional point systems take a bit of work.
Use a socket wrench to loosen the flywheel securing nut, keeping the flywheel stable with a flywheel holder tool. Remove the loose nut by hand and insert a flywheel puller tool, screwing it into the center of the flywheel. Use the socket wrench to then activate the puller tool to push the flywheel off the crankshaft arm sticking through it. Catch the flywheel woodruff key if it falls out once the flywheel is removed.
Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws holding the engine stator plate in place underneath the flywheel. Line up the markings on the stator plate with the markings on the engine case for an electronic ignition set-up. Re-tighten the screws once the markings are consistent with each other.
Replace the woodruff key on the crankshaft slot and reinstall the flywheel. Use a flywheel holder tool to keep it in place while tightening it down with a socket wrench and securing nut. Use a torque wrench to tighten the securing nut to factory tightness for the engine you're working on.
Print out a degree wheel disk template and paste it with glue onto some cardboard to keep it stiff. Drill a hole in the middle of the disk once it's assembled and cut to shape. Remove the ignition cap and spark plug from the engine with a socket wrench. Insert a top dead center gauge tool.
Spin the engine flywheel around by hand so you can see how the top dead center gauge indicates the highest point of the piston cycle. Use a screwdriver to pry off the rubber access cover in the flywheel. Connect a socket to the flywheel nut and insert the degree disc on it.
Find top dead center for the piston's movement. Use a sharpie pen to mark this position between the flywheel and the engine case. Spin the degree disc so that it reads 0 degrees when you are at the top dead center point. Refer to your engine documentation where the correct timing should be (i.e. 19 degree before top dead center).
Use the degree disk to mark 19 degrees before or after top dead center on the engine case. Carefully spin the flywheel backwards or forwards as prescribed in your documentation to that position.
Remove the degree disc so you access the flywheel window. Use a screwdriver to adjust the points gap inside the flywheel stator assembly which can be reached through the window. Set the gap as provided for your engine at the position before or after top dead center. Plug the window again, remove the top dead center gauge, and reinstall the spark plug and ignition cap. Start and test the engine.
