Juiceman - I agree on the manual being of limited use.  I've given up on that and am going back to basics as you and others have suggested.  It's good to know that this process worked for you.  Thank you for the encouragement, I appreciate it!

2 revolutions of the magneto coupling to one turn of the rotor -
That is making sense -
If the coupling has an "ear" on each side of the shaft - you can in effect be 90 degrees of when you put in in place on the tractor.
That is what I was suspect of.
You are making progress, so easy to be off 90 degrees and nothing will work!
You know where #1 leaves the Magneto cap - point the rotor at that location and whith the timing marks on flywheel, try installing.
Good Luck -

if the spark isnt phat and blue try a change of condenser. its the condenser that "stores'' the spark. i have just sent a mag away to be repaired, Chris Zoch trades as Zochy's magneto repairs. mobile ph: 0424011767. po box 118 harrington nsw 2427.

Hi, LangdonStevenson.
Why I suggested using the 'sparkly' plug hole with a thumb of finger over it for testing where the compression stroke is was so that you can then poke your curved wire in the same hole and simply continue turning the engine through that stroke to determine TDC.

I seriously doubt that you turn the engine fast enough to develop enough heat to burn your thumb or finger. LOL.

I do suggest doing your 'fiddling' with the wire to find a curve that works before you try finding the compression stroke and TDC.

There useta wuz a man on the Gold Coast back about 10 years ago who rebuilt mags, somewhere around Robina, I think. That 2427 postcode that trainzkid88 put up sounds like somewhere around that area.

Just my 0.02.

The head and head gasket are very basic. Pull the head off and you'll know for sure then. Also a good time to check the bores and that the valves aren't stuck or pitted. Just make sure you torque it up correctly.

Deas 2427 is nowhere near Robina. It's closer to Newcastle.

Just be prepare removing the head opens a can of worms. But as Phil say you can be sure.

If you take the head off, be prepared to spend a few hours cleaning the water passages in the head and block. With coolant only circulating when the pony is turning all manor of junk settles in the passages. Very helpful to have compressed air to blow into the passages. Probably should be added to the service book as job to be done every few 1000 hours or so. Many times the head gasket can be reused.

Hi, PhilC.
Thanks for the correction. But, I was close, 'only' out by 21 - - - - - - -  PLUS 1,800. LOL.

Just my 0.02.

Ray54 has a valid point and in my long distance opinion - if you can get the starting engine running, do so with minimal extra work.
Since location and effort to get to the machine are not easy, the less you have to "tear down" in the field the better.
It is easy enough to have parts misplaced, etc in a shop, in the field it is exponentially worse - and if you have it apart and are away for a time, one tends to get a bit lost on reassembly if not familiar with all aspects.

One step at a time - methodically eliminate one issue, move to the next. You can do this, it is mechanical - May at times feel like a "rubics cube", don't get frustrated and quit!

When you get the magneto on and timed - you will say, why did I not see that sooner! (again - we have all been there)

CTS

yes its south of port macquarie

Shot in the dark --- I do not have anything to double check this so for what it may be worth.

On the flywheel of the starting engine --- EX Cl -- Exhaust Closes
Next as the flywheel rotates past 12 o'clock toward 9 oclock --- TDC --- Top Dead Center (should be #1, but can be either comprssion or exaust stroke, thus the importance of knowing which it is - 180 degrees off, it will not fire!)
There MAY be a mark on the flywheel as you continue the turn - MAY -- say MAG --- this would be the magneto timing mark
See if that corresponds with the rotor position.

I hope this helps, all of us are anxious to hear your success story and the noise of that engine!
YOU CAN DO THIS!
CTS