The Ford Barn

fordfixer · 11-08-2023, 11:27 AM

Can the timing on the engine be tweaked, with the distributor on the car. It runs pretty good but seems to lack power. Can only get 30 mph in second gear and doesn’t like third gear at all.

marko39 · 11-08-2023, 11:53 AM

If you have the stock distributor the timing is set by moving the slide in the side. It would be best to send it to someone who has a distributor tester so it can be set correctly.

fordfixer · 11-08-2023, 12:30 PM

That has already been done. He is a well know guys who has the machine to set them up.

Seth Swoboda · 11-08-2023, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordfixer

That has already been done. He is a well know guys who has the machine to set them up.

If your distributor has been properly set up on a distributor tester machine, I'd say you have another issue.

47topless · 11-08-2023, 12:47 PM

A vacuum leak would give you those symptoms.

petehoovie · 11-08-2023, 01:00 PM

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You're only running on 4 cylinders. One barrel of your two barrel carburetor is clogged...

Seth Swoboda · 11-08-2023, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petehoovie

You're only running on 4 cylinders. One barrel of your two barrel carburetor is clogged...

This actually happened to me once. I recently saw an ad for a V8 Ford and the ad said it had a single barrel carburetor.

GB SISSON · 11-08-2023, 01:59 PM

Have you done a compression test? Has the carb been rebuilt? Spark at all 8 cyls?

Seth Swoboda · 11-08-2023, 03:00 PM

A compression check would be in order. I just replaced an engine, 21 stud, that had 60 psi per cylinder. It ran well but lacked a lot of power through the RPM range/gears.

11-08-2023, 11:27 AM	#1
fordfixer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Crete, Illinois Posts: 296	1940 v8 timing Can the timing on the engine be tweaked, with the distributor on the car. It runs pretty good but seems to lack power. Can only get 30 mph in second gear and doesn’t like third gear at all.

11-08-2023, 11:53 AM	#2
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: 1940 v8 timing If you have the stock distributor the timing is set by moving the slide in the side. It would be best to send it to someone who has a distributor tester so it can be set correctly.

11-08-2023, 12:30 PM	#3
fordfixer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Crete, Illinois Posts: 296	Re: 1940 v8 timing That has already been done. He is a well know guys who has the machine to set them up.

11-08-2023, 12:47 PM	#5
47topless Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 283	Re: 1940 v8 timing A vacuum leak would give you those symptoms.

11-08-2023, 01:00 PM	#6
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,181	Re: 1940 v8 timing Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You're only running on 4 cylinders. One barrel of your two barrel carburetor is clogged... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

11-08-2023, 01:59 PM	#8
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,953	Re: 1940 v8 timing Have you done a compression test? Has the carb been rebuilt? Spark at all 8 cyls? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

11-08-2023, 03:00 PM	#9
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,795	Re: 1940 v8 timing A compression check would be in order. I just replaced an engine, 21 stud, that had 60 psi per cylinder. It ran well but lacked a lot of power through the RPM range/gears.