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?

Re: Timing?
 

Pretty sure it’s supposed to face the #1 cylinder?

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

Re: Timing?
 

I should add I installed a carb kit as well but it acts like the timing isn’t right

Re: Timing?
 

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

Someone may post a pic, or, you can search.

Re: Timing?
 

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?

Re: Timing?
 

Tom Wessenberg's picture:

Re: Timing?
 

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.
https://www.modelaclub.com/wp-conten...ng-Diagram.jpg

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.

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!!

Re: Timing?
 

Alexis' photo is very descriptive.

Re: Timing?
 

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

Re: Timing?
 

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 !

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!

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.

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.