I started a thread a couple weeks ago about a 1974 caterpillar v60b forklift with a f227 flathead propane engine that has low compression. I have done a few things and the compression reads much better now, but still not perfect. With a couple squirts of oil, my cylinders are between 115 and 155 psi

I have checked for spark with a spark tester. All spark plugs fire, & I have even pulled them and watched for a blue spark - all look blue to me. I have them all gapped at around.02, but have tried.025 also. I dumped the old oil and replacd with new oil. I chased the spark plug threads and now they thread in much easier.

I can't find a way to assure that my ignition timing is correct. I can't find a timing pointer. I have pulled the distributor, rotated the engine to what I believe is top dead center on the first cylinder compression stroke and replaced the distributor with the rotor pointing at the number one spark plug wire. I can attempt to start the engine, slightly turn the distributer and it will act like it is slightly firing and speed up, but once I release the starter it never kicks over on its own.

The firing order is on the head, so i know it is correct. I assume the number 1 cylinder is the front, which is the end with the fan, pulleys, etc.

Surely the timing mark is not in the starter hole on the flywheel. The whole forklift is covered in grease and oil, but i have scraped some off looking for a timing pointer.

I have been pulling the plugs and putting seafoam in there to eat away some of the gunk.