timing light I just found an artical in the December Restorer (1989) about using a timing light on a model A! I got my first model a right after high school and never used a timing light ?
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Re: timing light The timing light, of course, will work but I think they are more for a car that has a distributor that you can rotate from outside the distributor to set the timing. The Model A, on the other hand, has a dizzy that is fixed and only the rotor/cam is able to rotate, and only from the inside. To me, setting the timing with the timing pin is more appropriate. Then, if you are curious to see if you hit TDC, or want to know how advanced any given setting of the spark lever is, then go for it. Another issue I have had is getting the timing light to work with 6 volts. Mine is a cheapie, so I have to connect it to a separate 12 volt battery to get it to work well. I have gotten pretty used to setting with the timing pin and going through the drill.
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Shocker!! Use caution when using a timing light with a metal case on a Model A.
I have a pretty nice advancing timing light that I use quite often on my other cars. When I connected it to my Model A with the original type plug connectors and pulled the trigger I got the shock of my life. :eek: I can certainly attest that 12v Pertronix Coils put out close to 40,000 volts. :eek::eek: |
Re: timing light Timing by the Model A owners manual method works fine. There weren’t any timing loghts on the farm in 1930. (Or anywhere else). :)
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Re: timing light Ruth, I got the same surprise with a Pertronix and die-cast dial back timing light. I was using a separate 12 volt battery and, after reading the instructions, saw that it said an external battery should be earthed to the cars system.
I thought this might avoid the shock but have not re-tried it. Now I am nervous after reading your experience. I think I put some polythene tube over the bronze plug connector before clamping on the inductive pickup too. I did not like the 40000 volts up my arm for sure! Any one else have any thoughts about this? Mine is a Jonnesway timing light with shiny metal body. SAJ in NZ |
Re: timing light Some folks like to try and reinvent the wheel. Timing lights have their place. But, are not needed for our monsters. Its pretty easy and quick to time these old Fords once you get used to it.
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Re: timing light A timing light is useful as long as you have timing marks. Handy for checking out everything. I have a battery operated light.
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Re: timing light I prefer adjusting the timing using a timing light. I use a separate 12 volt battery for the light. I add a mark on the pully and a wire pointer taped to a c-clamp. Works great.
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Re: timing light Here is an old Rich Pin YouTube video from 2010 on timing with a timing light...FYI..
https://youtu.be/nLzUpQUTU6Y |
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Re: timing light X2 on what Patrick L. said.
Paul in CT |
Re: timing light I use the timing light before long trips to insure my point gap hasn’t changed.
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Re: timing light YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE! The ignition timing on a stock model A is set with the timing lever, located on the left side of the steering column. The initial timing procedure, once done accurately, is good for the life of the engine (until the timing gears wear out). Just keep the points at the right gap and the initial timing will always be good. Some owners obsess over getting that initial setting down to a gnat's eyebrow, then start the engine and pull the timing lever down to whatever position they like, without realizing that all their fussing and futzing just went for naught!
Even if the initial timing is off a few degrees, a click or two of the timing lever makes up for it. |
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Thats what 40 said. |
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Yep |
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Re: timing light Model A's are one of the easiest cars to set the timing on . I have never felt the need to complicate the procedure .
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Re: timing light Ford chose the timing pin method . Making the timing process more complicated and difficult doesn't cause the timing to be more accurate . The average person can easily set the timing as Henry intended with the timing pin . Methods that are used with the modern car isn't necessarily best for the model A .
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Re: timing light As a new Model A owner, I intend to use a timing light to check the timing on the 29 roadster that I bought a few weeks ago. It has with an electronic ignition. The instructions for the ignition say to set the timing by rotating the engine to #1 cylinder TDC, then aligning the rotor with the #1 terminal of the distributor. With this method it seems too easy to leave the rotor a few degrees off. Since I have no points to monitor for the moment the spark is produced, a timing light is the only way I can think of to make sure that the timing is set correctly.
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