The Ford Barn

Teltruck · 03-29-2018, 11:47 AM

I have an 8BA Engine with the distributor removed. What procedure should I follow to reinstall it and time the engine. The distributor is the original style that came with the engine. Thanks,
Bob

tubman · 03-29-2018, 12:37 PM

The first thing to do is to align the "bump" on the front pulley with the pointer on the front cover. You have to make sure that the engine is on the power stroke. You can do that by putting your finger over the No. 1 spark plug hole and turning the engine over. When the compression blows your finger off the hole, it's on the compression stroke. Then turn the engine clockwise (viewed from the front) until the timing "bump" lines up with the pointer. The put the distributor in so the rotor is pointing at the terminal that has the number 1 plug wire. This is usually at 6 o'clock, but could be anywhere depending on who has been in there and what they have done. Generally you will have to put it in a little ahead of where you think it should go to account for the skew of the gears. Once you have the distributor in and the hold down in (loosely), you can try to start the engine. If it doesn't start, try turning the distributor one way or the other until it fires. Once you get it running, you can time it with a timing light.

A way to make this easier to to interpose a light bulb in the points circuit. The bulb will go on when the points close and off when they open. Since the spark is generated when the points open, turn the distributor just until the light goes out. The initial timing should be just about right on. This works well if you don't have a timing light.

Teltruck · 03-29-2018, 04:36 PM

Tubman
That's what I'm looking for! Thanks very much!!!
Bob

TomT/Williamsburg · 03-29-2018, 04:42 PM

I love the light idea!

Ric Dean · 03-29-2018, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomT/Williamsburg

I love the light idea!

I'll 2nd that!

tubman · 03-29-2018, 07:54 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Just to make sure we're all on the same page, number one cylinder is on the front right (passenger in the U.S.) side of the engine, right next to the distributor.

I know it should be obvious, but there are a lot of folks out there that cut their teeth on "Brand "X" engines.

03-29-2018, 11:47 AM	#1
Teltruck Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Mass Posts: 195	Distributor on a 8BA Engine I have an 8BA Engine with the distributor removed. What procedure should I follow to reinstall it and time the engine. The distributor is the original style that came with the engine. Thanks, Bob

03-29-2018, 12:37 PM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,302	Re: Distributor on a 8BA Engine The first thing to do is to align the "bump" on the front pulley with the pointer on the front cover. You have to make sure that the engine is on the power stroke. You can do that by putting your finger over the No. 1 spark plug hole and turning the engine over. When the compression blows your finger off the hole, it's on the compression stroke. Then turn the engine clockwise (viewed from the front) until the timing "bump" lines up with the pointer. The put the distributor in so the rotor is pointing at the terminal that has the number 1 plug wire. This is usually at 6 o'clock, but could be anywhere depending on who has been in there and what they have done. Generally you will have to put it in a little ahead of where you think it should go to account for the skew of the gears. Once you have the distributor in and the hold down in (loosely), you can try to start the engine. If it doesn't start, try turning the distributor one way or the other until it fires. Once you get it running, you can time it with a timing light. A way to make this easier to to interpose a light bulb in the points circuit. The bulb will go on when the points close and off when they open. Since the spark is generated when the points open, turn the distributor just until the light goes out. The initial timing should be just about right on. This works well if you don't have a timing light. Last edited by tubman; 03-29-2018 at 01:10 PM.

03-29-2018, 04:36 PM	#3
Teltruck Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Mass Posts: 195	Re: Distributor on a 8BA Engine Tubman That's what I'm looking for! Thanks very much!!! Bob

03-29-2018, 04:42 PM	#4
TomT/Williamsburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Posts: 2,654	Re: Distributor on a 8BA Engine I love the light idea! __________________ Run to the LA Roadster Show - 2016 My Run to Bonneville - 2013 My 32 5-Window Build My Run to the LSRU

03-29-2018, 07:54 PM	#6
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,302	Re: Distributor on a 8BA Engine Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Just to make sure we're all on the same page, number one cylinder is on the front right (passenger in the U.S.) side of the engine, right next to the distributor. I know it should be obvious, but there are a lot of folks out there that cut their teeth on "Brand "X" engines.

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