OK I think I know this. My manual says #1 cylinder is the top one on the starboard side. I know up from down and starboard from port. BUT... when I check the timing marking on the flywheel, the 0 deg TDC mark is in line with cylinder #4. The little needle with the adjustment slot is right at 0 degrees TDC when cylinder #4 is as close to the spark plug as it could be (spark plug removed for this "test"). Before I take this all apart, is there any chance that bottom port cylinder SHOULD be in line with 0 degrees TDC mark on flywheel? This motor is new to me (1978 model though - 2 stroke 115 V4 - 120 compression on all cylinders). It has never started. It will fire one pop here and there. Cleaned carbs and jets, new plugs. When it does pop, it seems to push back against the starter (makes it rotate "backwards" CCW from the direction that starter pushes it in.) That makes me think the timing somehow got off by 90 degrees? Maybe the guy before me tinkered and reassembled it incorrectly? The thing looks brand new - still factory paint on the anode. This is going on a Parker 18 center console, also new to me.
Please advise if you have more of a clue than I.
THANKS!!!
Please advise if you have more of a clue than I.
THANKS!!!