Checking valve timing:
As mentioned earlier, this engine was completely dismantled in the mid 70's, leads me to go and check the valve timing. Who knows how much care went into putting it back together.
Here is what the manual says about checking the valve timing:
Based on this diagram, I created my own degree wheel that will be used at a later date:
This degree wheel will be used later if valve timing needs attention.
For checking the valve timing, cylinder number 1 and 4 are used. When cylinder number one is at the top of the power stroke, cylinder number four has just finished the exhaust stroke and about to begin the intake stroke. The valve timing diagram tells us for cylinder number 4 the inlet begins to open 10 degrees before TDC and the exhaust valve fully closes at 10 degrees after TDC. This means that at TDC both valves are open the exact same amount. The manual tells us that for this test the valve clearances of cylinder number 4 have to be set at 0.020". Since I have a dial gauge at my disposal, I set the clearances to 0.025". Now if valve timing is 100% correct; when the engine is turned to TDC, I should be able to measure the exact same amount of opening on both inlet and outlet valves.
Finding the point at which both inlet and outlet valves open the exact same amount.
After establishing the point at which both valves are open the same amount, a reading is taken off the degree wheel. I found that valve timing is advance by 6 degrees. The question that needs to be answered is; can a 6 degree correction be made? I wonder. Maybe this was the best possible setting. Time will tell.