Panhead timing

[SteffanK]

Silly question but .....Is it possible for a 49 panhead to be 180 deg out of timing so that the inlet and outlet valves work in opposition . i.e the petrol splits out via carb rather than being sucked in on a down stroke

[The Yukon Sizzler]

Give us some more info, have you had the bike to bits ? ie put the cam back in wrong ? or has the bike just started playing up ?

[SteffanK]

I have not tampered with the engine but the previous owner may have.
Lets assume they have what could the worst senario be?
could it be wrong ?

Best to start afresh before thinking about cams e.t.c, check the timing of the engine and valves :-

Pull the spark plugs and set the point gap to .018 for 12volt systems, .022 for 6 volts, on the highest point of the point-cam lobe. Turn engine over until the front cyl point cam lobe (the small one) is coming around and getting ready to open the points. Remove the timing plug on the engine and gently turn the engine on the kickstarter until the timing mark appears in the hole. On most earlier big twins it should be a straight line, get it approx. in the center or slightly before.

Now check your valves - both valves should be closed as you are at TDC i.e. mark in the middle of the hole.

If this is correct continue to rotate the engine with the piston now travelling downwards - you are now on the power stroke. Once the piston starts to rise again then you are on the exhaust stroke and the exhaust valve should be opening. Once the piston get to the top of the cylinder again the exhaust valve should close and the inlet open - you are now on the intake stroke and so on and so on.

[SteffanK]

Thanks i'll try