Command Ignition Timing

Advance Timing

Below is an Image file that was built with a CAD program.

The file shows the width values of the flywheel key in order to achieve the desired Advance Timing.

NOTE: Advance Timing Figures are Timing Advance beyond Factory Timing and are not Total Timing.

Need an offset key made?  E-mail me on which one you need.

How Much Timing Do you Need?

This all depends on numerous factors; Fuel, Carb, Cam, Compression, RPM just to name a few.

NOTE: Advancing the timing WILL increase the operating temperature of the engine in most cases. And can make it difficult to start and warm engine.

NOTE: On a limited RPM engine (etc. 4,000 RPM limit) the desired timing advance is between 8 and 10 degrees (for a relative stock Command engine). Advancing the timing beyond 10 degrees in a limited RPM has shown to case the torque curve to drop rapidly just before the 4,000 RPM limit. However, horsepower will continue to climb at the expense of torque. Since this is for pulling purposes, torque is a pretty important item. My suggestion would be to get the highest torque numbers instead of the highest horsepower numbers. Were Torque and Horsepower are at there max (where the two curves line up relatively close, would be the desired running RPM of the engine. Meaning that if at 3800 RPM, your torque curve and hp curve are close together, this would be the ideal RPM to run that combination at. If you go beyond where to 2 curves met, you might gain a little extra horsepower but the torque curve starts to drop off). A lot of engine builders (be it racing or hot rod builders) try to get maximum torque values. Building an engine for high torque values WILL give you high Horsepower. WHEN TORQUE IS HIGH, HORSEPOWER IS HIGH. 

Kohler OHC (Triad) Flywheel

VERIFIED 4-30-2004

Stock Kohler OHC (Triad) flywheel is between 14 and 15 degrees further advanced than a stock Command flywheel. This was verified on 4-30-2004 by comparing the stock Triad flywheel to the stock Command flywheel.

What does this mean?

Since the Triad Flywheel and the Command Flywheel are identical in the mounting and key areas, this would provide more advance timing than simply installing an offset key. And, if this Flywheel were to be used on a Command WITH an Offset Key, you can advance the timing even further.

Kohler Smart Box Ignition Module updated 5-12-2004

This 'black box' is found on some stock 23hp - 25hp Kohler Command Engines. This box will advance the timing as the load on the engine increases. Some information has stated that it will advance the timing by as much as 15 degrees or more.

NOTE: To Use the Smart Box, the Coils from an engine that were designed to be run with the Smart Box MUST BE USED (easily identifiable by the extra metal tab on the Coil).

Stock Command 18hp and 20hp Coils WILL NOT WORK with the Smart Box.

Stock Command 23hp and Up that have the extra tab for the Smart Box WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT the Smart Box.