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watch crank with timing light while someone pulls the pin and see what happens to the timing. it will probably increase a bit. what happens when you leave the timing a bit lower, like 0 deg or -10 ? it really sounds like the balancer has spun... how do you know it hasnt? tried screwdriver in num 1 plug hole to verify TDC?

a good way to test that the balancer is right (and to mark it properly if its not) is to get an old spark plug, smash all the insides out of it and then get a bolt that will fit inside it, get the piston right up in the bore, put the plug in and put the bolt down till it hits the piston, now mark that and remove it, then put the bolt in about 5mm further and weld it into the plug end, then wind the piston down, screw it into the cylinder and then wind it up carefully till it hits the bolt, mark that on the balancer and wind the engine back the other way till it comes back up and hits again, mark that point on the balancer.....

now exactly in the centre of the top marks will be TDC and if your balancer mark is not there then you have a spun balancer..... if thats the case liquid paper a mark on it and off you go, but chances are 5000km down the track it will be out again!

set the base idle correctly