Anyone tried a Nu-Rex timing wrench?

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

OK Jim, but answer these two questions...
1) Define "perfect"?

2) How "fast" will your Model A be at Newport when you use this tool to set the ignition timing to TDC and run it up the hill timed at TDC?


Correct me if I am wrong but all this tool does is find TDC and set the dist. cam to break open the points at TDC. Since most Model A distributers have a manually controlled advance, as soon as the spark control lever is moved, I doubt anyone has a clue as to the total amount of advance they have then! And, since most people do not have a centrifugal advance distributor this tool can be used upon, AND that centrifugal distributor has not been set-up by a great ignition shop (such as Bubba's), ...again what purposeful use is this tool that cannot be achieved the Ford authorized way?

Also, what happens when this tool is used to check the points opening/breaking position on each of the other 3 cylinders? What if they don't break open at exactly TDC like #1 was set to open??

..
.


Now if NuRex had a tool to adjust valve to tappet clearance by piston position, THAT could make a smoother running, more powerful Model A engine!!

.

My point is this (god knows i really didnt wish to step into this thread ) is that most of the guys with old cars (not just model As) dont have a clue where there timing is! The engine was built by someone that may or may not have marked exact tdc on the engine. Now add a distributor that came from a swap meet somewhere and put it in the engine and use some (beats me method) of setting the base timing. Couple this with a loose timing advance rods etc and we really just dont have a clue where the timing is!!!
A old guy at Newport showed me a interesting method setting the distributor listening to the exhaust sound and what it says !!!! (have to tell you that one off camera for sure)

Now back to the disputed tool, the tool is designed to allow the rotor to be properly indexed in relationship with the exact firing point and the rotor position. The A distributor with the factory cap is designed to set with the cap running parallel with the cylinder head . After the unit has been disassembled and the cam re-positioned then the distributor is line up with the engine at tdc using the pin . All linkage is then adjusted and then the rotor position is set pointing at the correct part of the cap when the points just open.
Rotor index is pretty crutial as the points open the rotor should be in correct phase. A little bit off the rotor fires early with a wider gap than usual making the ignition use a higher than normal coil output which may or may not be high to start with.

Point IS its a lot better off being correct than being "kinda" correct as some in this thread implyed.

I dont disagree that the engine will run with a system adjusted with a matchbook, thin dime and a cresent wrench, however that dont make it right.

Perfect in my book is adjusted to the exact spec the oem wanted it adjustd at or another word used is "blueprinted"..


Ok , done with that one , did ya hear about the family driving the model A down south years ago on vacation when a rod started knocking ??? The father pulled the car over a ditch , removed the rod and used his belt for a bearing. The drove it all the way back to Ohio. A couple weeks later tore the engine down and there had been so much metal in the engine the leather had turned to metal and has .010US stamped on the back side .....

Tales , tales , tales ......

[johnbuckley]

Some one asked how often do you reset your timing? Just for the record I reset it everytime I move the advance/retard lever and I assume everyone else does too unless they have an auto advance affair.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by James Rogers

I am considered, if not a master mechanic, at least an extremely good one and I think this wrench is a waste of money. I can set the timing spot on in 10 seconds once the timing mark is found. This wrench won't help with the slop in the distributor gear any more than just turning the point cam.

Besides, I have a touch that borders on magic sometimes. I have gotten motors to run that others have worked on for months and were unsuccessful. Toot my own horn? Yep but, it's true. Anyone that knows me personally will tell this.

James,
It's O.K. to toot your own horn, my ringtone is an Oogah horn! It's taken some folks many years of sucesses, failures, burns, cuts, and scrapes to get to a fairly decent level of diagnosis and repair of cars and it's fun to share help when you can. I feel that if I ever get to a level where I know as much about car repairs as I don't know about car repairs, I will have reached some "MAGICAL PLATEAU!" For what I don't know, I will humbly ask. Someone on the site once typed, "Whatever I say, I believe!"---THAT'S CLASSIC!!!----This is a fun forum.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

IDEA: I feel that a lot of "A" drivers don't know, in simple laymen's terms, after initial setting, why does the timing need to be gradually advanced as the engine speed gradually increases in order to get the best performance.
Maybe a thread should be started to SIMPLY explain what timing IS and why it is so IMPORTANT.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

IDEA: I feel that a lot of "A" drivers don't know, in simple laymen's terms, after initial setting, why does the timing need to be gradually advanced as the engine speed gradually increases in order to get the best performance.
Maybe a thread should be started to SIMPLY explain what timing IS and why it is so IMPORTANT.

Bill,

I would love to write up that thread on this forum. Give me some time to work it up and i will get er done....

Bubba

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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Originally Posted by BUBBAS IGNITION

Bill,

I would love to write up that thread on this forum. Give me some time to work it up and i will get er done....

Bubba

That'd be great, I'll be looking for it, you're an ALRIGHT DUDE.----Bill