I have a 2002 yamaha wolverine that Im working on. The problem is that no matter what I do I cant get the timing right , with the motor tdc and the timing mark in view. The mark on the cam chain sprocket doesnt line up with the mark on top of the head. It is always half a link off ,would this affect the timing enough to make it run like crap or should I be looking for another problem because it starts fine and idles fine but when you give it gas it sputters and pushes air back out through the carb. Any help will be appreciated

 

Are you positive you are at TDC? There should be a small amount of play/movement in the cam. Take the chain and sproket off the end of the cam and turn the cam a little and line the cam sproket lock pin up with the TDC mark on the cam case.

 

There is a little bit of play in the cam but when I put the tensioner back on it pulls the mark on the cam sprocket past the mark on the head by half a link. Also there are two marks on the flywheel one is an "F" and the other is a "T". Im using the "T" mark to set the timimg

 

When I adjust my timing I make sure the valves are shut (there will be play in the rocker arms) and like the man said,the cam will be loose. Then I set the crank on "T",which means TDC ("F" means fire). Then I line the cam mark up with the mark on the head. Usually the mark will be slightly to the left of the mark on the head. Then when I install the chain tensioner the mark on the cam will always be to the right of the mark on the head. Ive done this many times on Warrior engines (which are the same as the older Wolverine) and it works fine everytime. Sounds like you have other problems to me.

 

Does anyone know what else it could be?

 

Did you verify that both valves are closed when you have it as close to TDC compression stroke as you can get?
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Your flywheel might have shifted on the crank. The timing marks (T and F) are on your flywheel but the timing chain sprocket is on the crank. The crank has a key in it that makes sure the flywheel is on right. The flywheel itself is kept in place because of the press fit on the crank, not just the bolt on the end or the key. I have seen people not torque the flywheel nut hard enough and the flywheel never gets a good press fit. Over time the stress on the flywheel key becomes too much.. you stall the motor or something and it shears the key right in half, throwing off your timing. You will have to get a flywheel remover made for that motor (NOT A HARDWARE STORE 3 or 2 LEG PULLER) and check to see if your key is still in one pice.

It might not be your problem, but I have seen it happen a few times.