58 big twin 35 point setting?

[pwrcrzy]

Hello all,
I'm replacing the coils,points , condensers and plugs on my big twin. The only manual I have covers a mid sixties forty horsepower. Where do I align the flywheel to set the point gap? It is a generic manual and does not show any reference points, I see that there are marks on the motor. I tried to find the highest point and set them, but I found another problem as well. When I started it to see how I was doing, after it spit a little for fifteen seconds I shut it off to find gas running from my carb air horn. When I released the tank pressure it went away. Does this sound like a bad needle seat? I have had the motor running last week on the lake with no off idle power. I'm getting lost quick. Believe me I know I need to find the correct manual, but you guys have helped me so far.
It's a 1958 big twin 35 and P.S., I will get some pics on tomorrow. Took my camera in to work today to find my battery dead... what else...

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 58 big twin 35 point setting?

(Point Setting Of Magneto Models)
(J. Reeves)

Set the points as follows. Have the flywheel key aligned with the fiber rubber portion of the ignition points. Adjust the gap so that a .020 gauge will pass thru but a .022 will not. Should there be any question of the points being dirty (touching the contact with your finger would cause them to be dirty), clean them with a small brush and acetone or lacquer thinner.

NOTE: Should the operating cam have a small portion on it with the word "SET" imprinted, align this portion with the fiber rubbing portion instead of the flywheel key.

 

[pwrcrzy]

Re: 58 big twin 35 point setting?

Thanks Joe,
It actually has TOP^ on the operating cam just to the right of the flywheel key. Was I correct to kinda push the coils onto the wires? They are hard to get to, do you remove the advance plate to do so? And if so, how? Should I replace the wires? They seem ok and I have not seem it as a recommendation here.

thanks again
David