2 Bolt distributor initial timing aid

[Flathead Fever]

I have a 1948 Auto Motors Repair Manual that shows how to time the distributer using a straight edge with the distributer off of the engine. This was all they had back then. There were no timing lights available so there were no timing marks on the crankshaft like modern engines have.

I had the heads off of a flathead and I installed a permanent timing pointer in the front cover. Then using a dial indicator, I put the #1 piston on TDC and I marked the pulley to line up with my new pointer. Then I also marked the pulley at 3, 6, 9, and 12 degrees BTC. Then I installed the distributor and checked the books straight edge ruler for setting the timing to my modern timing marks. I found the books straight edge timing method to be off 4 degrees from my new timing light mark. I bumped the timing up using the adjustment on the side of the distributor.

I was a tuneup guy with an ASE tuneup license and every other license they had, light and heavy vehicles. Since setting my flathead timing using a timing light I've acquired a SUN distributer machine with a flathead Ford adaptor. I have not used it yet, so far it's more of neat storage cabinet for my ignition parts then an actual tool. You're still timing the distributor off of the engine and hoping everything is machined correctly on the engine to match the distributor machine. The timing marks I made for my flathead are the most accurate way to time your engine using a light. I highly recommend you put a pointer in the front cover and mark the pulley if you have your heads off to do so. There is nothing wrong with the old straight edge method, it still works for the initial setting, then you can advance the timing on the distributor until the engine pings going down the road, then back off the timing a little.