Stihl 056 ignition timing

[jensen 32000]

What is the proper way to set the timing on an 056 that has the SEM ignition. Can an automotive timing light be used to verify? I heard that they are not accurate for such high RPMs. Also has anybody tried tweeking the timing on a stock saw to optimize performance or do the run best at factory specs when stock? Thanks Guys, Mike.

 

[cbfarmall]

I've used two ways to do time it, hopefully somebody will chime in with the correct one.

1) Simply line up the mark on the SEM module with the mark on the crankcase.

2) Set the piston to .100 BTDC(inches not metric!!). I used the depth gauge end of dial calipers-- you can get away with this on an 056 because the plug is parallel the axis of piston travel. Make a mark on the crankcase matching the mark on the flywheel. Remove flywheel. Line up your new mark with the SEM module mark.

If you want a real challenge, try timing points ignition. There you have the point gap and coil leading edge gap, both of which affect your timing. I just used my best guess.

Chris B.

 

[stihltech]

sem

Line up the mark.

 

[cbfarmall]

stihltech

What about timing the Bosch module? Is it the easy way or the hard way?

Chris B.

 

[stihltech]

bosch

Same deal, line em up.

 

[cbfarmall]

What in the world is the timing mark on the flywheel for? The Bosch, SEM, and points flywheels all have it.

Chris B.

 

[stihltech]

marks

If you paint it white, remove part of the recoil and flywheel so you can see the mark, you can actually use a timing light on the saw. I saw a pic of the procedure once , but I do not know of any dealer that ever did it. Crago, at Northeast Stihl, probably has.

 

[cbfarmall]

Sounds like alot of work. I like your method better. In any case, there's not much adjustment that can be made.

Thanks stihltech.

Chris B.

 

[jensen 32000]

Timing Light

Any chance a quality "automotive" timing light would work? what RPM do you check it at? Thanks, Mike.

 

[jensen 32000]

Timing Light

The 084 Sthil shop manual makes specific references to 3 different Bosch timing lights to use to check the timing, claiming that the trigger modules can fail in such a way that the module still produces a spark, but the timing is out of spec, reducing performance and ease of starting. I just was thinking that on the 056 the ignition module can be rotated a couple degrees either way of what looks lined up exactly, and still gain or lose a slight amount of performance. Maybe I'm thinking too much along the lines of dialing in my 70 Dart 440 Six Pack. Sorry if I'm rambling on!