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Shovel Timing

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by jasonshovelrider, Apr 25, 2007.

  1. jasonshovelrider

    jasonshovelrider New Member

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    whats up? I have a 79 shovel i just bought, i have completely tuned the bike including jetting the carb and having the heads redone, the problem is the bike must be advanced to 45 deg to get it to run eithout popping andrunnung like crap but i cant get it to idle any suggestions
    jasonshovelrider, Apr 25, 2007
    #1
  3. AFNurse

    AFNurse Moderator Staff Member

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    I will tell you right now that I don't have your answer.....would love to have a shovel...or pan..... just because... know NOTHING about them reallly! bet the guys here would like to know a bit more info tho.... did you do the work yourself, and what all HAS been done....helps them figure out what NEEDS to be done to get you out riding! Happy Trails!!!
    Nurse
    AFNurse, Apr 25, 2007
    #2
  4. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    a bit more about what you have would help.....carb? type of work done to engine, type of ign, stuff like that.......
    chuck
    chucktx, Apr 25, 2007
    #3
  5. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Just going by what you wrote , it sound's like your timming is off a bit , that's why it run;s when advantes
    , jet's might not be the right one's for your set up , but those you will have to play with a bit , but we do need more to go on , like when the head;s where redone , is it boared out & to what size ?
    :cool:
    cowboy, Apr 25, 2007
    #4
  6. whacker

    whacker Active Member

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    Help me

    Is your valve timming right....
    whacker, Apr 26, 2007
    #5
  7. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    sounds to me like a timing issue....i had a car once that did the same thing, eventually burned up the valves cause it had to run so far advanced. Of course i didn't know it at the time. somethings messed up. give these good ol boys some more info and they'll get her running right for ya. good luck. (has the cam been changed?)
    voodoochild, Apr 26, 2007
    #6
  8. sidecardave

    sidecardave New Member

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    help

    Hey guys ,I'm new here. I will post a pic of my bike and pro.
    HELP! I agree with the other posters. Remove your cam cover. Doulble check your valve timing(cam marks). Readjust lifters.
    >might burn pistons and valves w/ that timing.
    And ; check that your o'rings or bands at the intake are'nt suckin air.






    Rydeon "sidecarDave
    78'1/2..80in FLH
    w/ sidecar
    sidecardave, Apr 27, 2007
    #7
  9. rolls1955

    rolls1955 New Member

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    Hi jason. I know this might sound a little dumb; but are the intake manifold clamps tight and sealing ? I had a problem with my shovelhead that sounds like the problem you have and the o-rings on my manifold were shot and caused the bike to run like carp Mine is a '75 FL ,I'm not sure your manifold may have the bands on them, might be that simple,check it out.
    rolls1955, Apr 27, 2007
    #8
  10. madcatter

    madcatter New Member

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    its been a few years since my shovel days but it sounds to me that the distributor plate is stuck and the flyweights are not flexing on the springs
    the plate behind the points cover needs taken out and then clean them weights,check the springs to see if they return the weights properly
    i had the same problem once,one of the weights was all gunked up and was stickin.easy fix
    madcatter, Apr 28, 2007
    #9
  11. whacker

    whacker Active Member

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    Hey Jason....Any updates on what you found.....Would like to know if you found your problem.....:cheers:
    whacker, May 1, 2007
    #10
  12. kenfuzed

    kenfuzed Administrator Staff Member

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    The 78-79 Shovels were troublesome. Even with the intro of the electronic ignition, mechanical weights were still used to retard or advance timing. There were these little pins that hold the weights which would eventually wear the holes that hold them. Also the springs are typically too weak and stretch (or break) over time. Either condition will throw the timing so far off you will never get it set.
    kenfuzed, May 1, 2007
    #11
  13. jasonshovelrider

    jasonshovelrider New Member

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    help me

    hey guys thanks for all the responses....I have jetted the carb back to factory specs and the intake bands are brand new i have points ignition that are set properly, the valves are pretty close, and the advance unit is less than 200 miles old. The heads were redone less than 200 miles ago and the stock jugs are .020 over everthing else is stock except for my dragpipes. I plan on checking the cam timing this week because I just dont see where i have any other option but thanks for all the help guys.
    jasonshovelrider, May 6, 2007
    #12
  14. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Jason, just because the intake band's are new , do'est meen there's not a slite leak , A can of WD40 with straw will check this easy, Just get it to idel as best as you can & spray adound the intake's all around real slow , If the idel change's then you have a leak
    have some one double check your work on the timing & weight's to make sure there doing there job right
    never asume just because it's new there nothing wrong with it , It's man made & we all screw up some where :D
    :cool:
    cowboy, May 7, 2007
    #13
  15. madcatter

    madcatter New Member

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    are you taking the cover off and checking the timing marks on the gears??they may be off a tooth.i think i used to pull the plugs and rotate the wheel(off the ground)to find the timeing mark on the flywheel.cam lift would be for the front cylinder intake stroke.when the pushrod stopped opening the intake valve the points would begin to open,which would fire the plug.
    could be bad push rods????need adjustments.may be bad seal on manifold which the wd-40 test is foolproof.its been a while since i had my shovel,i forget.i know that i installed a new mechanical advance unit and it was 180degrees out,it was trying to fire on a exhust stroke and on the wrong cylinder.good luck
    madcatter, May 7, 2007
    #14
  16. madcatter

    madcatter New Member

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    hows the coils,no crackes????
    just a guess
    madcatter, May 9, 2007
    #15

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