I knew that my spark advance seemed a little tough to operate but I didn't know why or if it was normal then Royce posted a picture with an admonishment that the spark control rod was supposed to be routed under the water outlet not above it as mine was So I Had my wife operate the spark control While I watched the spark control rod had a large loop and would "stretch" prior to moving the timer. So I got some rod and eyeballed the rod routing it below the water outlet and cleared the end of the steering but it was still tough to operate so I took the rod back off and my wife tried to move the timer and said is it supposed to be this hard? Looking at the spring clamp I saw the signs that the spring had been "adjusted" and was really tight so I re-adjusted it so it wasn't as tight and it operates a lot better. So I guess my question is how freely should the timer move with the clamp bolt tightened?
The timer clamp spring should not be so tight that you have to use a lot pressure to turn the timer with the rod off. The only adjustment to the clamp spring would be to bend it. Remember the bolt must be tight as it holds the generator in place if so equipped. KGB
I remember over tightening the clamp bolt on a 1915 roadster and cracked the oil spout. Just snug is my rule.