hey im new to this site and i have a 92 polaris indy 500 sp lc and i recently changed the crank and put new gaskets on it, cleaned it right up, now i assume when put back together it should run like a new machine .... but i was wrong, it has some bogging and the RPM gauge reads that its at 3000 when idling, although it doesnt sound like it, well i was told to check my timing, so i tore the mag back off and checked and it was off off the markings but my question is where should the other mark go, the one that can line up with 2 big lines and 1 small one in the middle, where does that one go ? I'd really appreciate the help! thanks

First off, I assume you applied an appropriate liquid gasket to the case halves? If not, leakage in that seam will cause a lean running condition.

Secondly, before you remove the stator plate, normally one would put a mark on both the stator plate and the case in order to realign them as they were. In your case, obviously, you did not know or do that. Are there any wear or corrosion marks you can use to match up? If not, then get a timing light; you may be able to use an automotive one with a separate battery. Otherwise, they make them specifically for small vehicles like these. Failure to get the timing right will, besides not running well, quite possibly cause a later engine failure.

For the case i did use a liquid gasket, and when i receieved the snowmachine it was already taken apart so i couldnt really mark where it came out, thanks for your help, i will look for markings to help, and hopefully i'll get it right , thanks

on the polaris i have done there is just one line to line up. one on the stator plate and one on the case.

is the one your talking about on the left of the stator ? if so, once thats lined up its good to go ? thanks

If you are referring to small cast "bars" raised in relief, those are not timing marks. If the marks are engraved after the parts were made, then they may be useful for realignment. Unless you can find something to match and realign where it was, you really should check the timing to get it right.

yeah, thats what im talking about. thats why they are there.

Some are marked, many are not. Do not use the raised "bars" often found on the right side of the stator plate on many engines. (Those are useful when using a screwdriver blade to fine-tune turn the plate a bit to tweak timing.) If your engine has matching marks "engraved" or stamped into the parts after casting, those are likely useful for getting things real close. To verify your timing, you really need to use a timing light along with the the timing marks often molded into the recoil housing.

As I noted previously, if/when you disassemble one of these engines, the accepted procedure is to mark both parts with "match marks" before you remove them, so they will go back together just as they were.

yeah i think im going to have to do that, or bring it to someone who can, cause were gettin a lot a snow here and im gettin impatient lol, there is marks on the left side where the screw is, one on the casting and one on the stator, lined it up today still nothing, pulled it over got spark, got gas no fire, i kinda dont wanna sound like an idiot or anything but i havent the slightest clue on how to use a timing light, not even on a vehicle, and i know now for next time i do anything like that to mark it good, if i can ever get it running now, thanks for all your help

good news maybe, i was told that the problem isnt the timing its probably the choke cable isnt set up right, i was told thats probly why it was bogging and now, not running, which makes a lot of sense, so i just wanted to say thanks for ur advice, im hopin to be hittin the trails by this weekend