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 06-27-2022, 04:43 PM   #1
Lenny Bruce
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 283
Default Timing?

Ok fella’s so I installed a new upper and lower plate modern style I’ve heard them referred as. Put the timing pin in and motor was at TDC. Did the backlash and the
Rotor was facing the #4 cylinder as the manual suggested. She cranks but nasty backfire! Sounds like something is off? Any suggestions?
Lenny Bruce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 04:52 PM   #2
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,329
Default Re: Timing?

Pretty sure it’s supposed to face the #1 cylinder?
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 06-27-2022, 05:00 PM   #3
Lenny Bruce
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 283
Default Re: Timing?

That’s what my thoughts were but she wouldn’t fire up so I checked the manual and it says
“Replace the rotor on the cam until the rotor arm is opposite No.1”. That didn’t seem to work
Lenny Bruce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 05:03 PM   #4
Lenny Bruce
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 283
Default Re: Timing?

I should add I installed a carb kit as well but it acts like the timing isn’t right
Lenny Bruce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 05:16 PM   #5
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Timing?

The rotor tail should just be past the housing #1 post.

Someone may post a pic, or, you can search.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 05:42 PM   #6
Lenny Bruce
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 283
Default Re: Timing?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I should add as well when I put the distributor back together I was instructed to only turn the ignition wire in the housing a few turns not to over tighten it. Well when it first wouldn’t fire I took the lower plate off and their was no contact point at all so I turned it in a few more turns. Maybe it isn’t getting enough juice and needs to be tightened more?
Lenny Bruce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 05:45 PM   #7
Ivan in southeast va.
Senior Member
 
Ivan in southeast va.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Portsmouth, Virginia
Posts: 303
Default Re: Timing?

Tom Wessenberg's picture:
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screenshot_20220627-184203_Chrome.jpg (25.1 KB, 88 views)
Ivan in southeast va. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 05:46 PM   #8
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,329
Default Re: Timing?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenny Bruce View Post
I checked the manual and it says “Replace the rotor on the cam until the rotor arm is opposite No.1”. That didn’t seem to work
This means "opposite" in the sense of "facing or across from," e.g., "I sat opposite the host at dinner."

Use this image as a guide.
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 07:19 PM   #9
nkaminar
Senior Member
 
nkaminar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,817
Default Re: Timing?

Use your volt meter to trace the voltage from the coil. You should be getting battery voltage at the moveable point when the points are open (or a piece of paper is inserted). If not, work backwards to see where there is an open circuit or a short.

There are lots of instructions and youtube videos on the internet about how to set the points and the timing.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky.
Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die.
Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
My car grows red hair, and flies through the air.
Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.
nkaminar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 07:30 PM   #10
Lenny Bruce
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 283
Default Re: Timing?

Wow I had it wrong for sure! Thank you very much for the images that is super Helpful!
I will get it switched around in the morning! You guys are the best!!
Lenny Bruce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 07:42 PM   #11
Gene F
Senior Member
 
Gene F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,915
Default Re: Timing?

Alexis' photo is very descriptive.
Gene F is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 08:36 PM   #12
Rob Doe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 468
Default Re: Timing?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenny Bruce View Post
Ok fella’s so I installed a new upper and lower plate modern style I’ve heard them referred as. Put the timing pin in and motor was at TDC. Did the backlash and the
Rotor was facing the #4 cylinder as the manual suggested. She cranks but nasty backfire! Sounds like something is off? Any suggestions?

And Lenny, you are not the first or the last person to fall for the use of the word 'opposite' in the description of the timing. I fell for it almost 60 years ago. You won't do it again. LOL
__________________
"It ain't what you know for certain that gets ya in trouble. It's what ya know for certain that just ain't so!"
Rob Doe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2022, 10:39 PM   #13
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: Timing?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Doe View Post
And Lenny, you are not the first or the last person to fall for the use of the word 'opposite' in the description of the timing. I fell for it almost 60 years ago. You won't do it again. LOL
Yep I did the same thing 51 years ago ! It was running before I messed with it ! Then after scratching my head and a lot of reading opposite doesn’t mean pointing to #4 ! Now when you set the timing and get it right FOR GET IT !
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap
get a bigger hammer tap done
Big hammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2022, 04:47 AM   #14
Lenny Bruce
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 283
Default Re: Timing?

Hahaha yes that’s good to know! It just didn’t sound right. You guys didn’t have the luxury of
Jumping on then internet to ask questions back then. That is what makes me respect your knowledge even more and thank you for sharing it. Much appreciated!
Lenny Bruce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2022, 08:39 AM   #15
nkaminar
Senior Member
 
nkaminar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,817
Default Re: Timing?

As a kid, maybe 12, the neighbor said I could have his old Cletrac tractor if I could get it started. The spark plug wires were disconnected and there was a can over the vertical exhaust pipe. I hooked up the plug wires wrong and proceeded to crank over the engine. When the air/fuel in the exhaust pipe ignited it shot the can high up into the air. An adult taught me about firing order and I drove the tractor home.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky.
Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die.
Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
My car grows red hair, and flies through the air.
Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.
nkaminar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2022, 09:34 AM   #16
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,367
Default Re: Timing?

That's one thing about the model A. The way the distributor and its components are made, a person only has to align the rotor bug with the #1 terminal with full retard at TDC on compression stroke (pin fits dimple) and the firing order is set by the distributor. The high tension connector straps will only fit the plugs one way so a person would have a hard time getting that wrong. The breaker cam can be set just about anywhere since it rotates easily if the screw is loose. As long as it's set to the #1 terminal in the cap as the points just start to open then it's good to go. It's one of the easiest there is to time.

When Ford started manufacturing the V8, things got a lot more complicated. It's not too difficult to time, just more complicated. Even the model B is a bit more complicated.

I agree that some old terminology makes things very confusing at times. The word opposite is technically correct the way it was used but that does leave room for confusion. Not everyone is used to that term in relation to position of parts since opposite can mean two different things and especially with a part that can be rotated 180 degrees opposite of where it was supposed to be.
rotorwrench 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 08:56 AM.