The Ford Barn

Tom F OHIO · 05-02-2024, 09:36 AM

I got my distributor in and the car is running great. Now I have another dist that I want to carry as an extra. Do I just put this dist in the motor and do I just time it. Wil this effect my other dist that I had in. Thanks....

Will N · 05-02-2024, 10:03 AM

Once you set the timing of a distributor you don't have to re-time it as long as you do not loosen and move the cam. You can remove and replace the distributor without re-timing.

JayJay · 05-02-2024, 10:29 AM

This how my spare distributor is set up - pre-gapped and pre-timed to the car, so on the road it’s just plug-n-play if needed.

Tom F OHIO · 05-02-2024, 10:37 AM

Thats what I need to know. I'm taking my dist out and putting a different one that I got and has never been on my car. How do I go about doing the second dist. Do I just put in on or do I need to time that one once on.

P.S. · 05-02-2024, 10:42 AM

Time both distributors the same. Preferably, at the same time. One stays installed, the other goes under the seat (or wherever).

Many people, including myself, carry a pre-timed distributor in every touring car as a matter of policy.

Tom F OHIO · 05-02-2024, 11:33 AM

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Thanks for the info guys

JayJay · 05-02-2024, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom F OHIO

Thats what I need to know. I'm taking my dist out and putting a different one that I got and has never been on my car. How do I go about doing the second dist. Do I just put in on or do I need to time that one once on.

Get your engine to TDC #1 and time the distributor that's in the car. Without moving the engine, remove that distributor and insert the second one. Time that one the same way. Both will now be timed to that engine. Choose which one you want to run with, install that one and store the second one as a spare.

Tom Endy · 05-02-2024, 01:00 PM

Pretty much as above:

Set both distributors at .020.

Put the engine on the timing mark.

Install the first distributor and set the timing and tighten the cam screw and remove the distributor and set it aside.

install the second distributor and set the timing and tighten the cam screw and drive the car around the block. Remove the distributor and put it under the seat.

Install the other distributor and drive it around the block, leave it installed.

As long as the cam screw in both distributors is not disturbed, they are timed for that engine and can be removed and installed without having to re-set the timing.

Tom Endy

Tom F OHIO · 05-02-2024, 03:06 PM

Thanks Jay Jay and Tom as you guys answered my question to the tee......

05-02-2024, 10:03 AM	#2
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,251	Re: Distributor Question Once you set the timing of a distributor you don't have to re-time it as long as you do not loosen and move the cam. You can remove and replace the distributor without re-timing.

05-02-2024, 10:29 AM	#3
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,109	Re: Distributor Question This how my spare distributor is set up - pre-gapped and pre-timed to the car, so on the road it’s just plug-n-play if needed. __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan It isn't a defect, it's a feature!

05-02-2024, 10:37 AM	#4
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 593	Re: Distributor Question Thats what I need to know. I'm taking my dist out and putting a different one that I got and has never been on my car. How do I go about doing the second dist. Do I just put in on or do I need to time that one once on.

05-02-2024, 10:42 AM	#5
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hazzard County Posts: 1,922	Re: Distributor Question Time both distributors the same. Preferably, at the same time. One stays installed, the other goes under the seat (or wherever). Many people, including myself, carry a pre-timed distributor in every touring car as a matter of policy. __________________ 2024-2025 MAFCA Technical Director

05-02-2024, 11:33 AM	#6
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 593	Re: Distributor Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the info guys

05-02-2024, 09:36 AM	#1
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 593	Distributor Question I got my distributor in and the car is running great. Now I have another dist that I want to carry as an extra. Do I just put this dist in the motor and do I just time it. Wil this effect my other dist that I had in. Thanks....

05-02-2024, 01:00 PM	#8
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,168	Re: Distributor Question Pretty much as above: Set both distributors at .020. Put the engine on the timing mark. Install the first distributor and set the timing and tighten the cam screw and remove the distributor and set it aside. install the second distributor and set the timing and tighten the cam screw and drive the car around the block. Remove the distributor and put it under the seat. Install the other distributor and drive it around the block, leave it installed. As long as the cam screw in both distributors is not disturbed, they are timed for that engine and can be removed and installed without having to re-set the timing. Tom Endy

05-02-2024, 03:06 PM	#9
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 593	Re: Distributor Question Thanks Jay Jay and Tom as you guys answered my question to the tee......