no the timing only has to be about 15 degrees off as i had recently found out when i used the stator assembly off of my 93 and put it on my 03 it ran backwards i then ordered the assembly for the 03 and it runs perfect let me know what year your motor is as i have a spare stator assembly with a new charge coil and the small black box on it the only thing that isnt new is the plate and the lighting coil can take pic if you need me to just pm me and let me know, maybe we can swap parts as i need a few stupid things for mine thanks and good luck