Offside cylinder

[RodneyK]

To time my G9 I have to know which is the offside cylinder.
Please help. Is it the drive side or the timing side?

[Groily]

Timing side. But what matters is figuring which plug lead fires which cylinder when the points open on which side of the camring.
The gearbox side (rear) pick-up on the magneto fires when the heel of the contact breaker is on the lower lobe around 4 or 5 o'clock, the engine side one when the heel is on the upper one.
Both pistons will be in the same place ref TDC, you want the spark to arrive at the one that is on the compression stroke (both valves shut), not the exhaust. A torch down the plug hole will show you if an exhaust valve is open on a G9.

[g5wqian]

hi Rod ;
word of warning , dont pop one of those screw in TDC finders down the spark plug hole as when you turn engine over if you leave it in one of the valves may catch it and all will lock up solid and you will be in trouble .
use something thin and plastic , like a white cable tie with pen markings on it to show piston height/timing mark .

offside piston is your right leg side .

[RodneyK]

Okay, got it. Thanks so much.