[Hoop]

One of the problems in these discussions is terminology.

TIMING an early flathead distributor is a little different than TESTING a distributor.

TIMING involves setting the dwell and adjusting the initial advance.

TESTING means checking the distributor for wear, bad parts, faulty operation, etc.

TIMNG and TESTING can be done at the same time ... with aging distributors and questionable new parts, it's a good idea.

BUT, claiming that one cannot TIME a flathead distributor using feeler gauges to set the dwell ... ?

THINK about it. Ford designed, patented and produced the distributor with the intent of having points set with feeler gauges. Ford did not design it so that owners had to send their distributors to G.M. and Skip Haney to be timed.:roll eyes:

The misinformation, much from using the wrong descriptions, has given the distributors a bad reputation.

Am all for testing distributors. But, when someone asks how to time one, please give a knowledgable answer.