The Ford Barn

Flathead Fever · 07-05-2025, 10:24 PM

First thing I wonder is how they set the timing up with an aftermarket distributor and no timing fixture to line it up with. We're getting to the point that most mechanics have never worked on points and carbs. and a pre '49 flathead is even worse. There are no timing marks on the engine, the distributors timing is setup in a fixture and then the distributer is mounted to the engine. We don't know what was done with your timing when the high-tech distributor was installed. I was mechanic during the points era, there is absolutely nothing wrong with points, except getting good quality replacement parts.

If you know the timing correct, I would turn the idle mixtures screws in all the way until they are closed (gently close them) and this should kill the engine at idle. If it doesn't it means the carb is getting fuel from somewhere it is not supposed to, like flooding over.

What fuel pump are you running and what pressure is its rating. Early Ford carbs cannot handle the pressure of modern fuel pumps. There are only couple electric fuel pumps with low enough pressure that will work unless you run an additional fuel regulator. It's always best to stay with the stock mechanical pump.

07-05-2025, 10:24 PM	#19
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,492	Re: Time for a timing adjustment? First thing I wonder is how they set the timing up with an aftermarket distributor and no timing fixture to line it up with. We're getting to the point that most mechanics have never worked on points and carbs. and a pre '49 flathead is even worse. There are no timing marks on the engine, the distributors timing is setup in a fixture and then the distributer is mounted to the engine. We don't know what was done with your timing when the high-tech distributor was installed. I was mechanic during the points era, there is absolutely nothing wrong with points, except getting good quality replacement parts. If you know the timing correct, I would turn the idle mixtures screws in all the way until they are closed (gently close them) and this should kill the engine at idle. If it doesn't it means the carb is getting fuel from somewhere it is not supposed to, like flooding over. What fuel pump are you running and what pressure is its rating. Early Ford carbs cannot handle the pressure of modern fuel pumps. There are only couple electric fuel pumps with low enough pressure that will work unless you run an additional fuel regulator. It's always best to stay with the stock mechanical pump.