The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Timing with a True-Fire System

drpepper1885 · 10-12-2012, 09:57 PM

Hello everyone. I received the following reply from a poster on the MTCFA board, which answered my questions. The position of the commutator was correct after all. I sucessfully timed the engine tonight using the following procedure. Thanks again for everyone's input. Hopefully this post will help someone in the future.

******
According to an email from Ed himself, this is the routine.

1. Set the Spark Rod all the way to Retard or at the top.

2. Remove all four spark plug wires.

3. Remove all four spark plugs.

4. Attach plug wires back to plugs and set each of them on the head, turn on the ignition key.

5. One person now has to slowly turn the crank, by hand, just until the #1 and #4 plugs start firing, while a second person peaks in the spark plug hole with a small pen light to note the position of the piston. If the piston has just reached Top Dead Center and started down about 1/8th inch, you are good to go and can turn off the ignition key, put the plugs back in and attach the wires.

Alignment Procedure (when the above did not indicate alignment)

6. Remove the Spark Rod from the Timer and rotate the Timer Connection about 1/2 inch closer to the Passenger Side or Counter Clockwise looking from the Front.

7. One person has to turn the crank, by hand, while a second person peaks in the spark plug hole with a small pen light to note the position of the piston. Stop turning the crank when the #1 piston has just reached Top Dead Center and started down about 1/8th inch.

8. Slowly move the Timer Connection toward the Driver's Side or Clockwise from the Front. Stop when the buzz noise starts.

9. Bend the Spark Rod until it will go back in the Timer Connection without moving the timer position.

10. Repeat the Test Procedure to insure the setting is correct. Wear in the linkage may move that setting several degrees.

10-12-2012, 09:57 PM	#3
drpepper1885 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingwood, Texas Posts: 80	Re: Timing with a True-Fire System Hello everyone. I received the following reply from a poster on the MTCFA board, which answered my questions. The position of the commutator was correct after all. I sucessfully timed the engine tonight using the following procedure. Thanks again for everyone's input. Hopefully this post will help someone in the future. ****** According to an email from Ed himself, this is the routine. 1. Set the Spark Rod all the way to Retard or at the top. 2. Remove all four spark plug wires. 3. Remove all four spark plugs. 4. Attach plug wires back to plugs and set each of them on the head, turn on the ignition key. 5. One person now has to slowly turn the crank, by hand, just until the #1 and #4 plugs start firing, while a second person peaks in the spark plug hole with a small pen light to note the position of the piston. If the piston has just reached Top Dead Center and started down about 1/8th inch, you are good to go and can turn off the ignition key, put the plugs back in and attach the wires. Alignment Procedure (when the above did not indicate alignment) 6. Remove the Spark Rod from the Timer and rotate the Timer Connection about 1/2 inch closer to the Passenger Side or Counter Clockwise looking from the Front. 7. One person has to turn the crank, by hand, while a second person peaks in the spark plug hole with a small pen light to note the position of the piston. Stop turning the crank when the #1 piston has just reached Top Dead Center and started down about 1/8th inch. 8. Slowly move the Timer Connection toward the Driver's Side or Clockwise from the Front. Stop when the buzz noise starts. 9. Bend the Spark Rod until it will go back in the Timer Connection without moving the timer position. 10. Repeat the Test Procedure to insure the setting is correct. Wear in the linkage may move that setting several degrees.