Another video from Mart. Setting points on the Churchill jig.

[Mart]

I have made another video. I have the crab distributor on the Churchill timing fixture and thought I'd try and capture it on "film".

To be honest I struggled to illustrate an easy way to set the timing,and I was never able to capture the perfect setting routine. Lets just say it took a lot of trial and error.

I did find a couple of little issues which I have been able to address. (One not shown).

I have tried to improve the lighting and camera technique, I hope it shows.

Please press like if you like it, I enjoy doing them, but this one took a lot of reshoots to get to the finished article and even then it's not perfect.

Cheers.

Mart.

Edit: When I say "not the dwell" I did mean dwell. I've edited the video but it says it will take a while to be updated.

https://youtu.be/dnNbT8KV9HQ

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Good video Mart. On a running engine dwell is measured as a average of all eight cylinders , which allows some variations between cylinders. Most allow 3 degrees of dwell variation.

[Hoop]

Mart, when you set the timing at the end of the video, which mark does the timing index end up pointing to on the timing tab?

[Mart]

Hi Hoop.

I just put the crab back on to check.

I aligned the zero to where the noise just came on and then engaged the pin. The F mark was in line with the 35.5 degree mark.

That makes sense as the 35.5 degree mark is where the noise stops, ie the points open. That's when it fires so that's where the pin holds the disc.

In the Lucas 4 lobe video I was able to better demonstrate the method I used to home in on the right dwell. Get the dwell, lets say 28 degrees, I want 32 so the difference is 4. I then set the F mark 2 degrees (half the difference) before the zero and adjust the point so it it just touching. I gain 2 degrees at each end so got the 32 I was shooting for.

I wasn't able to do it on the crab that easily so unfortunately the video does not show the procedure I used to get the exact setting.

Mart.

[Hoop]

At about 13:20 on the video you make an adjustment and tighten a screw on the outside of the distributor behind and out of sight of the camera.

That's the timing index. Am curious which mark ended up aligned on that small plate held on by that screw.

[Mart]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Almost on the 3rd mark from the top. Sort of 2.9 marks down from the top.

I have timing markers on my motors so can readjust if necessary once fitted.

Mart.

[Hoop]

Thanks, Mart. It's one of my ongoing surveys to support a theory about what that index scale represents.

Your setting, correctly I think, indicates 2 degrees of initial distributor advance or 4 degrees at the crankshaft. This is on the 3rd mark not the center mark ... the center mark would be TDC with each mark being 2 distributor degrees.

Not all distributors end up set on the 3rd mark, but, when they do not, it's a sign to double check your work and the condition of your parts.

[Mart]

D'y know, hoop, I'm a bit confused about that, the instructions clearly state 2 degrees relative to crankshaft. I know the early Ford specs state 4 degrees before. I just refitted the unit to the truck and it runs nice.

I intend to bust out the snap on dialback timing light and see if that tells me to make a further adjustment.

I'll keep you informed.

Mart.

Edit: There is a typo in the pdf version of the instructions. the original states camshaft not crankshaft, so your assumption is correct, the pin sets it to a theoretical 4 degrees btdc crank.

[fortyonerag]

Nice work, many thanks.

[Mart]

Thanks Rag.

[VeryTangled]

Mart, I've really enjoyed the videos you've been posting lately. Quite educational! Thank you and I encourage you to continue.