kohler 440 timing?

[insaecula]

i have a hustler with the 440 kohler engine and the service manual says i need a timing tool for the engine with CDI. is there anywhere to find one of these or is there a work around?
i got two hustlers and made one out of them about 2 yrs ago but once i got it all together realized the trans had gear oil in it, i finally got around to rebuilding it and now that it in im trying to get this thing running right ( never did to start with). i rebuilt the carb and it just hardly want to idle, and has no power. so thought i'd pull the engine and check the timing...

[Don]

I haven't timed one of those in a while, but when I had to (without the tool) I set #1 cylinder to TDC and marked the flywheel, with a matching mark on the fan housing or case so they line up at TDC. Use a degree wheel to mark the flywheel to whatever the static timing is, and if the specs will give you the total advance, mark that too. You can use different colors for the marks so they don't get confusing. Start it up and use an automotive timing light to set the timing and check advance. If you don't have electric start, it makes it a little more difficult- you have to take the pull start off once it's running to see the flywheel.

[insaecula]

thats a pretty good idea