Timing w/o handcrank
 

Car was running just fine but suddenly died while driving. After a little troubleshooting, I found that the screw that holds the points to the upper plate came out and was floating around in the distributor body....so I had to pull the upper plate to get to it.
I'm assuming at this point the timing needs to be reset? I do not have a crank to spin the motor. Is there another way to do it by hand?

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Cooter
Sent you a PM.
Richard

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

I remove the sparklers [ spark plugs] and use the fan belt [ not the fan] to roll the engine over. . Or put the monster in gear and you could probably roll it forward or backward while feeling for the dimple at the same time.

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Like #3:

Remove all 4 plugs and turn your engine with the fan belt.

Also, for 58 years, with (4) plugs out, I "gently" rotated my Model A engines with either my 2 blade steel fan or my 2 blade aluminum fan with no problems ............... however ............... to recommend same on a Model A Forum could result in:

1. A beheading; or,
2. A crucifixion; or,
3. A firing squad; or,
4. Poison; or,
5. Thrown off of a cliff; or,
6. Cremation; or,
7. Being forced to watch the next Presidential Debate on a large screen TV with the volume at full blast with no popcorn and no Alka-Seltzer.

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Cooter-
Very easy!

• Put the car in 3rd gear and release the parking brake (do this on level ground).

• Pull the car forward while you hold the timing pin into the timing cover until it drops in. You will pass it. No problem, push the car backwards and it will drop in again.

• Tighten cam screw as points open and put it all back together.

• Drive away!

This can be done by the side of the road, as required.

To help you with this, I recommend the "GZNTATOOL" (because the timing pin "Goes Inta" the timing cover). It holds the timing pin in while you pull the car forward. You watch for the timing pin to drop in.

Many of the Model A parts vendors sell this simple tool. Here are a few references to it:

https://www.brattons.com/new-parts/g...ming-tool.html

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/timing-pin-tool-3669

More info at www.gzntatool.com

(Not my product, I don't make anything from the sale of this handy little tool).

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Time to buy a crank.

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Be careful when turning the motor by using the fan... This can cause the belt to loosen some by pulling on the generator... Be sure to adjust it back up if that happens

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Pulled the plugs and it spun easily.
Thanks, guys.

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

With proper fan belt alignment and with your (4) plugs removed, rotating the fan belt with two hands close to the center of the fan is not that much different from rotating the fan belt with the crankshaft on a Model A engine that is well broken in.

Glad you got the hang of it, spread the good news, and did not get hung or crucified.

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

"Why are you pushing your car, run out of gas?"

"No, I'm setting the timing!" :):)

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Third gear key off push car slowly until pin sets in timing gear dimple. Turning a Model A engine with the fan is risky poor practice.

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

I know!!

A hand crank really is better, but the original question was what to do without a crank. I like that you can do it by the side of the road this way, if stuck with no other option, except a tow truck. :confused:

Even when timing with a hand crank, it is easy to pass the dimple in the timing gear. When you do, I use the "push the car backwards in 3rd gear" method to go back to it. You just need a few feet where you are working to get back for the pin to drop in. :)

I used to use the fan blades to turn the engine back, until I broke one. And I have seen several fans break while driving and take out the hood and radiator core. Not something I want to happen to me.

YMMV.

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Possible alternate response to above reply No. 10 question:

"Why are you pushing your car, run out of gas?"

No, just performing a compression test.

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Pushing the car in high gear works well if you don't have the right tool. I bought a quality 1 3/8" combination wrench at the local used tool store, then heated the box end of the shaft to put a couple of sharp bends in it to clear the pulley. This also works great to loosen the crank nut. Just install the wrench and move it over to lay on the left frame rail, then hit the starter with the key off, and the nut will be loose.

Re: Timing w/o handcrank
 

Great idea Tom. I could work with this with just two hands.