If the dizzy has been out and it's out by one tooth (because of the spiral), it should still fire. Just runs like crap (don't ask me how I know
). Wonder if the dizzy's been put in 180º out?
The timing mark/timing ball appears in the timing window when the dizzy is pointing to #1,
but also when it is pointing to #6. If Jake was looking only for the timing mark/ball, he could have put the dizzy back in (aligned to #1) when the engine was ready for #6. He'll still get spark at the plugs, just not when the engine is ready.
To check, pull the rocker cover. Using the fan, turn the motor over until cylinder #1 is in the firing position. This can be seen by looking at cylinder #6 (the one closest to the firewall). Watch carefully until you can see one of the cylinder #6 rockers rising (and just stopping), and the other cylinder #6 rocker just starting to fall. This is referred to as cylinder #6 “rocking” (i.e. one rocker just finishing and one just starting). You should see the timing mark in the timing window. Now pull the dizzy cap, and make sure the rotor is pointing to #1. If it's pointing to #6, then the dizzy is 180º out.
Cheers,
Harv
