Author Topic: R.E. crusader timing  (Read 5649 times)

Offline brooksie

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R.E. crusader timing
« on: March 14, 2007, 03:35:25 AM »
The crusader is nearly finnished(wahoo !) but i have a small prob. it won't start ! I have removed and replaced the points stator plate and spindle from the oil pump,one question is there a way to fit this or is it just pushed on,there is no keyway for it to slide on and the books say nothing about it.The bike is just kicking over with the occasional backfire through the carb. Have i got it 180 deg. out ?
Many thanx and i hope you lot out there can help.

Offline L.A.B.

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Re: R.E. crusader timing
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2007, 04:34:20 AM »
I must admit I know practically nothing about these engines, so some guesswork here, but from what I can find, the spindle appears to drive the auto advance (AA) unit, so if it (or the spindle drive gear position) has been disturbed then the AA unit will need to be re-timed to the crank (if there is a taper with no key?). You didn't mention anything about the AA unit just the 'points stator plate' which by that I take it you mean the points plate (an electronic ignition system would have a 'stator plate') but you have not mentioned having an electronic system fitted? So is this an actual points plate or is an electronic ignition (Boyer?) fitted.
Does your book  mention if the drive gear at the opposite end of the spindle needs to be 'timed' to the camshaft gear?
L.A.B.

Offline TBS

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Re: R.E. crusader timing
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2007, 04:51:13 AM »
On an exceedingly rough basis I would have thought that you need a spark at about 3/8" btdc for it to fire. However I specialise in Triumphs, but I would have thought it would be a ball park figure. Give it a go and let us know what happens.

Offline L.A.B.

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Re: R.E. crusader timing
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2007, 05:00:38 AM »
The info in Roy Bacon's book gives the ignition timing figure for the standard Crusader as 0.015 inches retard but no info on how that setting is applied!! Presumably this would refer to the static idle setting rather than the fully advanced setting??
« Last Edit: March 14, 2007, 05:01:14 AM by L.A.B. »
L.A.B.

Offline brooksie

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Re: R.E. crusader timing
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2007, 05:54:41 AM »
Many thanx to all those that took time to reply.
The stator plate is actualy the auto advance unit, my mistake, the spindle is timed to the cams and  crank as per B.M.S. manual.My problem is how do i set the points cam in relation to the piston for the points to be set correctly.All very confusing,if only they put a dam keyway in it would be so much more easier.
Over to you !  

Offline L.A.B.

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Re: R.E. crusader timing
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2007, 07:10:01 AM »
Basically the setup would appear to be more or less the same as for many British bikes, that the crank/piston position needs to be set to where the spark should occur, the AA unit should be secured with the retaining bolt *just loose enough to turn it on the taper*, and the points plate should then be fitted in the middle of its range of adjustment with the AA cam set in a position where the points are closed.

The AA unit should then be slowly rotated on its taper (without moving the spindle)  in the normal direction of rotation until the points *just* start to open, and that should be the position it needs to be tightened down at.

Once the AA unit retaining bolt is fully tightened the ignition timing can be re-checked and fine adjustment done by moving the points backplate.

Normally setting the ignition timing on Brit bikes involves locking the AA unit at full advance and the crank/piston position is also set to the full advance position but the Crusader would seem to differ in that a retard setting is given (by Roy Bacon info -what does your BMS book say?).
So I would expect it to give some info on how to at least set the correct ignition timing position?

It is possible that in this case the AA unit should not be locked fully advanced (so is set retarded). And that the retarded timing position occurs slightly after TDC (0.015") instead of slightly before which is generally the case?

But I must stress that what I have said is mostly guesswork based on the procedures for other British bikes, so proceed with caution (or find somebody who actually knows for sure).      
« Last Edit: March 14, 2007, 07:11:07 AM by L.A.B. »
L.A.B.

Offline brooksie

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Re: R.E. crusader timing
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2007, 04:53:37 AM »
Many thanx for the replies.I still have had no joy. :-[The engine still back fires through the carb occasionally but apart from that nothing.There is a spark at the plug(nice and blue) and petrol is going through(plug nice and wet,too wet .)
Any more thoughts or ideas would be most welcome,i know i should have stayed with AMC bikes ! but that is another topic.


Offline L.A.B.

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Re: R.E. crusader timing
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2007, 05:47:24 AM »
Does the spark appear to occur at the correct timing point (whatever that is in your manual -I did ask?).

Do the valves open and close in roughly the correct positions? Could the pushrods be connected to the wrong rocker arms (outer pushrod should be inlet I believe)?


L.A.B.