can I check for a sheared keyway like this?

[jekylczar]

I'm wondering if perhaps my engine problems are being caused by a sheared key...I was wondering if I got the 1 cylinder to TDC and made a mark on the pto shaft, if I hooked up a timing light, should it be pretty close? I'm thinking that if it is way off I can then go through the front and check the key..

 

[Dr Honda]

You can.

Get the manual, and see where your timing should be.

 

[Bills86e]

The Woodruff key is for aligning the crankshaft and the flywheel. The tapered fit is
lapped useing blueing until a perfect fit is accomplished, then the correct torque is
applied to bind the two mechanical surfaces from spinning. Bills86e

Stator Timing your machine
It is simple. Look for a line at the bolt slot on the 9 o'clock position of the stator when the stator is mounted so that the harness is in position to be clamped into place by the harness braket plate that goes on over the wires.

Now look at the left side of the case at the stator mounting area by where that 9 o'clock stator hold down bolt goes. See the line in the case ?
After you bolt the mag housing back onto the motor, place the stator in there so those two lines are alinged with each other and bolt down the stator. Bolt the harness bracket back on over the wireing harness from the stator. Place the mag flywheel back onto the crankshaft. Replace the mag cover. Your motor is properly timed. Bills86e

 

[jekylczar]

Thanks Bill. I was hoping to find out if the ski was out of time before I went to the trouble of pulling everything off to look at the key...