The Ford Barn

xkeots · 09-27-2016, 08:46 AM

My 31 Model A 5 Window coupe is running like crap. Partial back firing and when I shut off it's a bitch to restart. I want to put in new points but I tried to set the timing pin in it's hole first. I did a complete revolution of the damper with no feel of the hole for timing pin.
Am I missing something besides the timing hole? I want to drive the car but getting too old to have to push it. Needs new points as it's been years and I think after many seasons of sanding points for contact, it's time for new.
Car ran pretty good in 2015 except for a slight backfire from where the muffler pipe meets the exhaust manifold. I put the copper spacer and muffler tape over the space under clamp as with copper spacer it still leaked.
Thanks
Jax
1931 Ford Model A

Joef21 · 09-27-2016, 08:52 AM

Check your points gap.

xkeots · 09-27-2016, 08:53 AM

Did that.

tbirdtbird · 09-27-2016, 09:11 AM

many threads on locating the dimple on the cam gear; a search would be revealing

midgetracer · 09-27-2016, 09:18 AM

I use a short Phillips screwdriver instead of the pin since it has a sharper point and finds the dimple easier. Have the spark plugs out so it turns easier and get it close to TDC as it is building compression on #1. Then slowly turn the crank with the screwdriver pushed into the timing cover.

Brian SATX · 09-27-2016, 09:19 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Where are you located? Maybe someone close to help.

Art Newland · 09-27-2016, 09:30 AM

Quote:

I did a complete revolution of the damper with no feel of the hole for timing pin.

You may need to turn the engine over two turns to find the timing mark.

ccb360 · 09-27-2016, 10:34 AM

Also helpful to watch rotor button approach #1 position in distributor.

xkeots · 09-27-2016, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian SATX

Where are you located? Maybe someone close to help.

Long Island New York

Tom Endy · 09-27-2016, 12:20 PM

My advice is to first re-set the points to .020. Then since it is a somewhat running engine, crank the engine around with the crank until the rotor is almost to the number one post on the distributor. Remove the timing pin and with a small mirror and a flashlight slowly crank the engine a bit more until the marker on the cam comes into view and is centered in the pin hole window. Adjust the cam on the distributor shaft so that the points are just cracking open. If you remove the spark plugs first it makes it easier to rotate the engine.

I can do this by myself. After I crank the engine to almost the number one post, I stand between the bumper and the radiator and put my knee on the crank handle and with a small dental mirror and a flashlight I can view the pin hole and I push with my knee for the final engine rotation.

Tom Endy

Will N · 09-27-2016, 03:02 PM

2X what Art Newland wrote. The crank make 2 revolutions for every 1 revolution of the cam gear, where the timing dimple is located.

Are you a member of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island? The next meeting is tomorrow, 9/28 at 8:00 PM at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Round Swamp Road in Bethpage. Come down, introduce yourself, make friends.

captndan · 09-27-2016, 04:44 PM

I spent two days trying to find the dimple on the 31. Finally had to pull the cover to expose the timing gear. The dimple was there but it was filled with gasket cement and was nearly invisible. Go figger.

09-27-2016, 08:52 AM	#2
Joef21 Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 21	Re: 1931 Model A Timing Pin Check your points gap.

09-27-2016, 08:53 AM	#3
xkeots Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 31	Re: 1931 Model A Timing Pin Did that.

09-27-2016, 09:11 AM	#4
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: 1931 Model A Timing Pin many threads on locating the dimple on the cam gear; a search would be revealing __________________ '31 180A

09-27-2016, 09:18 AM	#5
midgetracer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bismarck ND Posts: 1,189	Re: 1931 Model A Timing Pin I use a short Phillips screwdriver instead of the pin since it has a sharper point and finds the dimple easier. Have the spark plugs out so it turns easier and get it close to TDC as it is building compression on #1. Then slowly turn the crank with the screwdriver pushed into the timing cover.

09-27-2016, 09:19 AM	#6
Brian SATX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 821	Re: 1931 Model A Timing Pin Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Where are you located? Maybe someone close to help. __________________ Brian SATX

09-27-2016, 08:46 AM	#1
xkeots Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 31	1931 Model A Timing Pin My 31 Model A 5 Window coupe is running like crap. Partial back firing and when I shut off it's a bitch to restart. I want to put in new points but I tried to set the timing pin in it's hole first. I did a complete revolution of the damper with no feel of the hole for timing pin. Am I missing something besides the timing hole? I want to drive the car but getting too old to have to push it. Needs new points as it's been years and I think after many seasons of sanding points for contact, it's time for new. Car ran pretty good in 2015 except for a slight backfire from where the muffler pipe meets the exhaust manifold. I put the copper spacer and muffler tape over the space under clamp as with copper spacer it still leaked. Thanks Jax 1931 Ford Model A

09-27-2016, 10:34 AM	#8
ccb360 Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Portsmouth, VA Posts: 66	Re: 1931 Model A Timing Pin Also helpful to watch rotor button approach #1 position in distributor.

09-27-2016, 12:20 PM	#10
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,134	Re: 1931 Model A Timing Pin My advice is to first re-set the points to .020. Then since it is a somewhat running engine, crank the engine around with the crank until the rotor is almost to the number one post on the distributor. Remove the timing pin and with a small mirror and a flashlight slowly crank the engine a bit more until the marker on the cam comes into view and is centered in the pin hole window. Adjust the cam on the distributor shaft so that the points are just cracking open. If you remove the spark plugs first it makes it easier to rotate the engine. I can do this by myself. After I crank the engine to almost the number one post, I stand between the bumper and the radiator and put my knee on the crank handle and with a small dental mirror and a flashlight I can view the pin hole and I push with my knee for the final engine rotation. Tom Endy

09-27-2016, 03:02 PM	#11
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,106	Re: 1931 Model A Timing Pin 2X what Art Newland wrote. The crank make 2 revolutions for every 1 revolution of the cam gear, where the timing dimple is located. Are you a member of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island? The next meeting is tomorrow, 9/28 at 8:00 PM at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Round Swamp Road in Bethpage. Come down, introduce yourself, make friends.

09-27-2016, 04:44 PM	#12
captndan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Tennessee Posts: 714	Re: 1931 Model A Timing Pin I spent two days trying to find the dimple on the 31. Finally had to pull the cover to expose the timing gear. The dimple was there but it was filled with gasket cement and was nearly invisible. Go figger.