Jaybob's 1975 550 Cafe Build

jaybob · Post by **jaybob** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:34 pm

Yes, it was turned up in a lathe. Also I made a sleeve and pressed it down into the plug body for a tight fit around the brass rod so to avoid any wobbles of the rod.

H2RICK · Post by **H2RICK** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:42 am

Very slick timing tool, Jaybob. I wish I had a lathe.....but then I'd probably only screw things up faster.....and with more "finality".

Suzukidave · Post by **Suzukidave** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:32 am

Its handy haveing one of these

jaybob · Post by **jaybob** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:00 am

Yeah yeah Dave. And that one most likely even fits into the center cylinder

and you don't have to rig up a solid mount for the dial.

No respect I tell ya, some guys have no respect

Just kidding

Suzukidave · Post by **Suzukidave** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:16 am

jaybob wrote:Yeah yeah Dave. And that one most likely even fits into the center cylinder and you don't have to rig up a solid mount for the dial.

No respect I tell ya, some guys have no respect

Just kidding

Yep , these old sets are hard to find but work the treat on the 750s and extra good on the 550 / 380's with the air scoop. But honestly your setup is great useing whats available to get the job done and making it your self

jaybob · Post by **jaybob** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:12 am

I've thought many times about the old retired mechanics that have these sets just sitting in their tool boxes never to see the light of day again. Or about the widows of the same that give them away to people who have no idea what they are for.....but hey I am covered for any old smoker now.

Thanks for the compliment!!

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:23 am

Here's my setup I made in the mid 90's while working in a machine shop. I destroyed an old spark plug then bored it out. Then I pressed in a teflon sleeve and sized it. The shank of the indicator is precision and is a snug slip fit in the teflon plug liner. No damaging screws necesary. I just screw in the adapter, then push the indicator in.
In the box you will notice a 1/2" extension for the indicator plunger. This extension has to be on when the air shroud is in place on my 550. I still can do everything without removing the tank.
One thing I would like to mention here for those who may not have thought about it. A true reading is only available on the center cylinder where the indicator is at a true 90 to the piston. Things change in the angled holes. You have 2 things happening here. Because the indicator is angled, it moves slightly away as it moves up. It also is affected by the piston crown because as it moves away it also drops dowm on the crown radius. It will get you close but you should use a timing light when through to fine tune (dial out) the last little bit.