Bent timing pin
 

Today I found a second bent timing pin. All the years of tuning A Fords and im surprised to find this twice in 6 months. I kept thinking distributor bushings,bent shaft, bad points cam.
Someone must have put a pry bar against the pin.
I've never heard of a pin being bent before. This is something else to write down in the old Book of secrets.
Wick

Re: Bent timing pin
 

Are you talking about the actual timing pin or the distributor locating pin ?

Its surprising either would be bent. But it just goes to show that people can do about anything when they put their mind to it.

Re: Bent timing pin
 

' Good Ol' Boy' NASCAR Model A Ford tuning secret.

Re: Bent timing pin
 

This must be what you are referring to? It sticks out of the timing cover when not in use and WOULD make a good thing to pry against for reasons we shudder to think about.
So when you tried to use the bent pin to time an engine, you could not get the timing right? Interesting.

Re: Bent timing pin
 

In the mechanic world "a good thing to pry against" is called a 'purchase'..

"get ya a purchase from that timing pin son"

Re: Bent timing pin
 

Well, I guess that would make sense. I type this as I shake my head. But, I've pried on things I shouldn't have.

Re: Bent timing pin
 

Yep that's it. The removable timing cover pin.

Re: Bent timing pin
 

Could it be that somebody actually tried to lift / hoist the engine by the timing pin? Or could it that somebody bent the pin to advance the timing? Or could it be that somebody banged the engine while it was out of the car?

Re: Bent timing pin
 

So let me know if I am off base here.


Seems to me the amount you would be off with a bent timing pin would very small. The only time it might make a difference is starting at full retard. Soon as the A is running you move the lever and being off that small amount is compensated.


I suppose you could set TDC with the Pin, put a stick/dowel rod in # 1 spark plug hole and hand crank to see how far off it is. Or some version of this method.

Re: Bent timing pin
 

I might of bent one moving a motor around.
Don't recall.

Re: Bent timing pin
 

I also have a bent timing pin in my engine. Have no idea why. Came that way when I bought the car.
I find it makes finding the hole in the timing gear a little difficult. Hard to get the pin to drop into the hole while cranking over the engine by hand. I usually just bring the number one cylinder up to TDC and take a look into where the pin is inserted to see if the gear hole is about to line up. Forgot to purchase a new timing pin on my last order.
I also would be curious as to why a timing pin would be bent?

Tom L.

Re: Bent timing pin
 

My guess is that the timing pin was bent when someone was reinstalling the engine. They probably used a 2X4 to pry the engine into place, placing it down in the front crossmember and pushing against the front timing cover without first removing the pin.

Re: Bent timing pin
 

It was probably installed by Jack-the-bear, and he got a little rough with it???

Re: Bent timing pin
 

One could try straightening it while it's in place.