Finding TDC on compression stroke Harley motor Knuckle Panhead Evo Twin Cam M8

This shows how to find Top Dead Center on the compression stroke on any motor. I use a Harley Davidson motor for the demonstration. I also show some of the TDC and the advance marks that Harley has used over the years since they used different ones.
I also marked the TDC and Advance spots on my open belt pulley so that I don't have to take the timing plug out of the engine. The only problem with taking the plug out to time the motor is it blows oil out at you while you are doing the job.
Please hit that like button and subscribe to my channel. Thank you.

[@mrcommando201]

Thank you for making this video easy to understand. Short and to the point..

[@Rapsgarage]

Thank you for watching.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I remember before I knew any better timing my shovel to the advance mark while thinking it was the TDC mark. Talk about an almost broken foot at the kickstarter and a destroyed starter system until I learned different.

[@Rapsgarage]

A lesson you will never forget. Thank you for watching

[@bobstamand9430]

thanks man helps a lot

[@Rapsgarage]

Happy to help. I like this video. Thanks for watching

[@Sangalhunter]

Damn good video thanks!

[@Rapsgarage]

Thank you for the compliment and for watching. Please if you haven’t… subscribe. Thx

[@davidmcmahon5991]

Thanks for the information 👍 Great video 👀😎💯

[@Rapsgarage]

Thank you for watching

[@iainwilkinson4113]

Brilliant.Thanks a million !!

[@Rapsgarage]

Thank you

[@jimhmod]

Delete the part about marking the belt pulley instead of using the timing hole. Timing gun manufacturers are complaining about loosing sales, LOL!! Typed by a guy who years ago forgot to put his timing gun in a big zip lock bag and oil vapor got inside the timing gun and blew out the zenon bulb. Those bulbs get stupid hot and the oil blows them out almost immediatley. You can also mark the rotor on an enclosed primary sytem and shoot the timing mark from the oval inspection cover on the outer primary. Its a little harder so see but still way better than shooting through the timing hole.

[@Rapsgarage]

That’s a great idea that I never thought of. Thanks for passing that along and thank you for watching.

[@stevepope5484]

Great!Instructor

[@Rapsgarage]

Thank you and thank you for watching. If you haven’t, please subscribe.

[@egdeltar]

good info

[@Rapsgarage]

I’m glad I could help. Thank you for watching and if you haven’t already subscribe, please do.

[@egdeltar]

Done!

[@Rapsgarage]

Awesome

[@jimshanko5666]

Nice job crow 👍

[@Rapsgarage]

Thank you buddy!

[@jimshanko5666]

@@Rapsgarage you do a Great Job explaining

[@Lanesplitter]

Clear and concise as always - for an Evo with a VOES, I guess it needs to be timed above 2000 RPM with a timing strobe so the VOES is active?

[@Rapsgarage]

Or disconnect the vacuum hose and plug it.

[@tonyrap3846]

Well done, But lets get that BAD BOY running ,O.K? 😁

[@Rapsgarage]

LOL. It's on the list...

[@thecelt4807]

awesome man

[@Rapsgarage]

Thank you for watching. If you haven't please subscribe. Thx

[@jrroadlander4400]

I put a piece of paper towel tap starter till it blows out paper and rock it back & forth with a straw from a wd40 can

[@Rapsgarage]

That straw is a great idea since I have a ton of them. lol

[@RJ67.]

Are the cam lobes" on the front two lifters" when you're at top dead center. on the flat, or on the lobe?

[@Rapsgarage]

If you’re on TDC on the compression stroke, the lifters will be on the base circle of the cam. I have a great video on how to find TDC on the corner stroke. Look through my videos to find it. Thanks for watching.

[@Rapsgarage]

Sorry you are on that video. Here is another video that should help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJe8aXSZZqyapZYsi=iqWjTWEInJBhc9Di

[@justinhammock2009]

Great video. I have a dilema.. i was installing a S&S oil pump and cam plate to my 2017 street glide with the 107. I got to the point of where you torque the cam plate bolts and then you rotate the rear wheel until your crankshaft makes 2 complete rotations. Well heres the issue.. i got a little happy with it and didnt count how many turns the crankshaft actually made and i may have gotten it 180° out. Whats the best way to determine if i have it out of time or not? Feel free to message me if its easier. Thanks!

[@Rapsgarage]

It doesn’t matter. Put the crankshaft on TDC and align the timing marks on the camshaft. The camshaft turns at half the speed of the crankshaft.

[@jasoneastwood6635]

Great video, trying to time my 69 shovel for kick only, should i use the timing mark or TDC … thank you

[@Rapsgarage]

I would follow the procedure in the manual on that since you have a distributor and I’m guessing you have points. You can find that manual online for free. Do a google search.

[@jazzy2556]

Do you absolutely have to be in 5th gear to do?

[@Rapsgarage]

No but the last gear your transmission has spins the motor the slowest making it easier to line the timing marks up or finding TDC,

[@rod4530]

Hi, great vid. Just a bit confused - at 5.33 you say the late shovel advance mark is the line. As far as I know the advance mark on a late shovel is the dot.

[@Rapsgarage]

I'm just saying what my bike has and what the manual says. Harley did different stuff in different years.

[@rod4530]

@@Rapsgarage Understood, but the manual states late model TDC is the line and Advance is the dot.

[@Rapsgarage]

@@rod4530 I not sure what your asking. I'm showing you the manual and it directly says the line is the advance mark. At 3:18 I show the advance mark on my late model shovel and it's the line. Mine matches up with what my manual says. The point of my video is that you don't need the manual or need to know what marks you have before you open the timing hole and look. The point is you bring it to TDC and see what mark you have then spin the motor backwards and see what mark you have for the advance mark. At that point to can time your engine.

[@rod4530]

@@Rapsgarage Yes, I understand and have to say it's the best video for the intended purpose. My manual says different and it's widely accepted that the late shovels used a dot for advance, but as you say Harley did mix them up a bit and that's not the purpose of the video. In other words, use the technique and sort out your individual marks. I appreciate your comments and meant no offence. Please do keep up the good work.

[@Rapsgarage]

@@rod4530 I didn't take and offence at all. I just want to help people any way I can. I'm glad you liked the video. If you have any other questions, please let me know. Thx

[@roberttalbot4912]

I have a S&S 117 evo . When I’m timing the engine do you set it on the TDC line or 35 degrees before TDC

[@Rapsgarage]

It depends on what ignition module you have. Let me know what module you’re using.

[@sugengdiablo6925]

So the fire timing Wil Sparks 35 degree before TDC each cilinder?

[@Rapsgarage]

Correct. Both cylinders will fire 35 deg. before TDC when the motor is above 2000 RPMs. Before 2000RPMs it ramps the timing in.

[@sugengdiablo6925]

@@Rapsgarage thanks dude,really apreciate it.i just wanna know why a Harley exaust sound was so different,with Japanese twin.

[@deadheadlights]

👍👍

[@Rapsgarage]

Thank you

[@user-jy7eq2rk7u]

I need image of the exact mark that's all

[@Rapsgarage]

It’s different on every bike. What motor are you talking about?

[@trfisher78]

I use a wooden chopstick like the ones you get in a to-go meal from an Asian restaurant.

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

😊🏍️👍

[@hardtailsuicidaljockey6827]

Yep I use a straw 🙂

[@Rapsgarage]

I should too…