Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-28-2020, 07:33 PM   #1
keyswitch1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 121
Default timing light

I just found an artical in the December Restorer (1989) about using a timing light on a model A! I got my first model a right after high school and never used a timing light ?
keyswitch1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2020, 08:09 PM   #2
Bill G
Senior Member
 
Bill G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Posts: 1,044
Default Re: timing light

The timing light, of course, will work but I think they are more for a car that has a distributor that you can rotate from outside the distributor to set the timing. The Model A, on the other hand, has a dizzy that is fixed and only the rotor/cam is able to rotate, and only from the inside. To me, setting the timing with the timing pin is more appropriate. Then, if you are curious to see if you hit TDC, or want to know how advanced any given setting of the spark lever is, then go for it. Another issue I have had is getting the timing light to work with 6 volts. Mine is a cheapie, so I have to connect it to a separate 12 volt battery to get it to work well. I have gotten pretty used to setting with the timing pin and going through the drill.
Bill G is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 10-28-2020, 10:27 PM   #3
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,334
Default Shocker!!

Use caution when using a timing light with a metal case on a Model A.

I have a pretty nice advancing timing light that I use quite often on my other cars. When I connected it to my Model A with the original type plug connectors and pulled the trigger I got the shock of my life. I can certainly attest that 12v Pertronix Coils put out close to 40,000 volts.
__________________
Ruth
"Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2020, 10:38 PM   #4
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: timing light

Timing by the Model A owners manual method works fine. There weren’t any timing loghts on the farm in 1930. (Or anywhere else).
__________________
Ray Horton, Portland, OR


As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2020, 03:58 AM   #5
SAJ
Senior Member
 
SAJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 513
Default Re: timing light

Ruth, I got the same surprise with a Pertronix and die-cast dial back timing light. I was using a separate 12 volt battery and, after reading the instructions, saw that it said an external battery should be earthed to the cars system.
I thought this might avoid the shock but have not re-tried it. Now I am nervous after reading your experience.
I think I put some polythene tube over the bronze plug connector before clamping on the inductive pickup too.
I did not like the 40000 volts up my arm for sure!
Any one else have any thoughts about this? Mine is a Jonnesway timing light
with shiny metal body.
SAJ in NZ
SAJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2020, 06:42 AM   #6
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: timing light

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Some folks like to try and reinvent the wheel. Timing lights have their place. But, are not needed for our monsters. Its pretty easy and quick to time these old Fords once you get used to it.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2020, 08:20 AM   #7
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: timing light

A timing light is useful as long as you have timing marks. Handy for checking out everything. I have a battery operated light.
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2020, 08:33 AM   #8
DannL
Senior Member
 
DannL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 184
Default Re: timing light

I prefer adjusting the timing using a timing light. I use a separate 12 volt battery for the light. I add a mark on the pully and a wire pointer taped to a c-clamp. Works great.
__________________
Not a Purist.
DannL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2020, 08:50 AM   #9
[email protected]
Senior Member
 
modela@aol.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 730
Default Re: timing light

Here is an old Rich Pin YouTube video from 2010 on timing with a timing light...FYI..


https://youtu.be/nLzUpQUTU6Y
modela@aol.com is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2020, 10:50 AM   #10
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,009
Default Re: timing light

Quote:
Originally Posted by DannL View Post
I prefer adjusting the timing using a timing light. I use a separate 12 volt battery for the light. I add a mark on the pully and a wire pointer taped to a c-clamp. Works great.
To each their own, but methinks that your method is a lot more work than the "Original Ford" method.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2020, 12:50 PM   #11
1931 flamingo
Senior Member
 
1931 flamingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,389
Default Re: timing light

X2 on what Patrick L. said.
Paul in CT
1931 flamingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2020, 03:37 PM   #12
GPierce
Senior Member
 
GPierce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Germantown,TN
Posts: 513
Default Re: timing light

I use the timing light before long trips to insure my point gap hasn’t changed.
GPierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2020, 07:41 PM   #13
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,334
Default Re: timing light

Quote:
Originally Posted by GPierce View Post
I use the timing light before long trips to insure my point gap hasn’t changed.
Yes, makes for a very quick check.
__________________
Ruth
"Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2020, 08:05 PM   #14
40 Deluxe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: now Kuna, Idaho
Posts: 3,774
Default Re: timing light

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE! The ignition timing on a stock model A is set with the timing lever, located on the left side of the steering column. The initial timing procedure, once done accurately, is good for the life of the engine (until the timing gears wear out). Just keep the points at the right gap and the initial timing will always be good. Some owners obsess over getting that initial setting down to a gnat's eyebrow, then start the engine and pull the timing lever down to whatever position they like, without realizing that all their fussing and futzing just went for naught!
Even if the initial timing is off a few degrees, a click or two of the timing lever makes up for it.
40 Deluxe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2020, 08:13 PM   #15
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: timing light

Quote:
Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe View Post
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE! The ignition timing on a stock model A is set with the timing lever, located on the left side of the steering column. The initial timing procedure, once done accurately, is good for the life of the engine (until the timing gears wear out). Just keep the points at the right gap and the initial timing will always be good. Some owners obsess over getting that initial setting down to a gnat's eyebrow, then start the engine and pull the timing lever down to whatever position they like, without realizing that all their fussing and futzing just went for naught!
Even if the initial timing is off a few degrees, a click or two of the timing lever makes up for it.
You must pull the lever down after starting to adjust for driving conditions. Leaving it in the timing position and driving with it there can damage your engine. 9:00 is a good position for most common driving.
__________________
Ray Horton, Portland, OR


As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2020, 07:50 AM   #16
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: timing light

Quote:
Originally Posted by 700rpm View Post
You must pull the lever down after starting to adjust for driving conditions. Leaving it in the timing position and driving with it there can damage your engine. 9:00 is a good position for most common driving.



Thats what 40 said.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2020, 07:51 AM   #17
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Thumbs up Re: timing light

Quote:
Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe View Post
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE! The ignition timing on a stock model A is set with the timing lever, located on the left side of the steering column. The initial timing procedure, once done accurately, is good for the life of the engine (until the timing gears wear out). Just keep the points at the right gap and the initial timing will always be good. Some owners obsess over getting that initial setting down to a gnat's eyebrow, then start the engine and pull the timing lever down to whatever position they like, without realizing that all their fussing and futzing just went for naught!
Even if the initial timing is off a few degrees, a click or two of the timing lever makes up for it.




Yep
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2020, 07:27 PM   #18
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: timing light

Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick L. View Post
Thats what 40 said.
Yeah, I just intended to clarify the pull down position.
__________________
Ray Horton, Portland, OR


As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2020, 12:37 PM   #19
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: timing light

Model A's are one of the easiest cars to set the timing on . I have never felt the need to complicate the procedure .
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2020, 01:10 PM   #20
DannL
Senior Member
 
DannL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 184
Default Re: timing light

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
To each their own, but methinks that your method is a lot more work than the "Original Ford" method.
lf I was avoiding work I wouldn't own a 90 year old car. Ha!
__________________
Not a Purist.
DannL is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:07 PM.