Shovelhead, mechanic, shop

I didn't remove the cam so it should be fine right? What mark on the flywheel do I use for ignition timing?

If you have the timing case off I would go ahead and look at the alignment marks and put them in alignment. that way you can pull the timing plug on the left side and find the timing marks..they should be two one for front cylinder and one for rear or depending on what crank is inside just a line. You should have the straight line for a mark line it up and you will be @ 35 degrees forward max 40 and aft is 30. I run between 32-34 degrees timing due to the pistons and heat range, still tune it by ear and feel. set plug gap at 33 the points at 018-.020. And take a wire bound notebook and write down everything..serial numbers part numbers etc.. while you have it opened up and then you have a record of everything you do so you can come back later and verfiy.

Also if you take and file down the ground lug on the plug where it is even with the electrode they will perform better with more even burn.

I alined the 2 dots on the cam with the lines on the drive gear and breather gear. I found out I have solid lifters so I set the push rods at their lowest point where there was no lash but would spin free. Now it seems like I have no compression because when I put my thumb over the spark plug hole and kick the motor I fell no pressure?

Also with all 3 gears alined I don't see any marks through timing hole on left

Wish I had known earlier, I was over in summerdale and could have rode over and give you a hand. back home now give me a call if you want, saves time typing etc..etc..and sometimes easier to explain. I am also running solids with the street cam in my shovel and adjust them when the cam lobe is at the lowest point where the rod just barley spins freely between the thumb and finger, and the valve is fully closed. the alignment mark for timing on the crank is hard to see, rotate the engine over slowly until you see the mark thru the hole then look at your cam gear alignment. I will send you the phone number .
Stoney

Do you have the shovel running yet??

Not yet I work 4 on 4 off so I'm back to work untill Saturday. But I was having trouble with the starter not disengaging and now my battery is compleatly dead. I will be back it Saturday and have an update. On a side note there is a motorcycle swap meet Saturday at the motorcycle shop in bay minette. I'll be there looking for some new parts as well.

Well I got a new battery. Tried to start and I melted my ground wire from the battery to all my controls up on the handlebars. Long story short the bottom post on the starter solenoid is going to ground. So I have ordered a new one. I hope that's the problem so I can finally get this thing on the road.

It happens.. i put a new set of switches on the handlebars and when I re- tightend the screws shorted out the wiring. I re wired the whole bike due to cracked old wiring and have replaced the starter, due to dragging down the battery and relays also. Keep us posted.

Is the cable coming off the short post on your starter solenoid positive? Because mine is going to ground when I ohm it out with my multi meter.

My bike is a 1972, it is wired different from your 79.