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Hello stronics, I have had a bit of experience with magnetos and they can be a little bit troublesome to deal with compared to standard distributor type installations. First a little background on the magneto, when the magneto drive shaft is rotated you will notice that it will have a snapping type of action, this is typically how it generates the spark that is delivered to the plug. As it snaps it will generate the spark to the position that is lined up with the rotor after the snapping has taken place. Thus when you are trying to line the rotor up with the #1 position on the distributor cap you have to take this into account. If you don't have the tech manual to take you through the process step by step you will need to play with where you install the magneto in relation to #1 position of the crankshaft and #1 on the distributor cap. First determine the shaft rotation of the magneto, this will help you to anticipate the starting position of the drive before you install it into the block of the engine. Next position the shaft in the magneto so that it will be loading to snap into position and line up with the #1 plug on the distributor cap of the magneto. Now rotate the engine so that it is going in it's normal direction of rotation, just a bit before the crank lines up with the timing marks and the piston on #1 cylinder comes up to it's compression position see if you can install the magneto into it's drive slot, this should have you close enough that you can probably get the engine to start. To double check things, remove the plug on #1 cylinder and rotate the engine in it's normal direction of rotation and as you feel compression on your finger when #1 cylinder starts coming up and lining up the timing marks, remove the distributor cap and check the position of the rotor in relation to #1 plug wire on the cap, it should be lined up with the #1 wire. If not you will have to fool around a bit more with the position of the drive of the magneto. Good luck and regards and let us know how things worked out for you on this. aevald

When timing the magneto to the engine always Use #4 cylinder (nearest generator) to time off of. The keyhole in the back of the flywheel housing (behind the air bath) is where you will find the timing mark. Use #1 only when you are using a distributor.

Remove #4 spark plug, with a finger over the hole crank the engine until #4 cylinder comes up (air blows your finger off the hole). Now look into the magneto mounting hole, using a long screwdriver hand turn the engine by inserting the screwdriver into the generator fins and moving the blades until marked camshaft gear is between the two marked governor teeth.

Take the magneto to the work bench, put a spark wire in #4 (firing order 1-3-4-2 clockwise) turn the magneto until it thows a spark, turn coupler back 1/4 turn so that it lines up to the drive slots of the governor.

Install magneto. Using a timing light fire up the engine and check timing with the light through the kehole on the flywheel housing. You may have to move the magneto back or forth at the base to bring it in smooth.