The Ford Barn

Sid · 03-04-2026, 02:31 PM

I see this piece was advertised by the Hot Rod Workshop a couple years ago. Looks like it could be a helpful tool as opposed to screwing with rulers etc. Doed anyone know where a person could find one? I can't seem to find any contact info. to purchase one.

petehoovie · 03-04-2026, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sid

I see this piece was advertised by the Hot Rod Workshop a couple years ago. Looks like it could be a helpful tool as opposed to screwing with rulers etc. Doed anyone know where a person could find one? I can't seem to find any contact info. to purchase one.

Watch > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbONBr6MO6c

email > [email protected]

This from YouTube summary:

13,938 views Oct 15, 2023
Today in the shop, we pick up where we left off with the distributor on the Flathead. We set our points gap, and use our newly developed timing tool to set our initial advance, then test it out on the flathead. Interested in purchasing a timing tool? They’re available for $30 shipped anywhere in the US.

Follow this link: https://paypal.me/Thehotrodworkshop?c... Send: $30 In the “what is it for” box, type: “Two bolt distributor tool”

your name
your address
your email (optional)

Tool will be sent out to you as soon as possible and email confirmation.

jimTN · 03-04-2026, 04:12 PM

Just set it to where it starts best an runs best, simple as that. You do not need a fancy tool, only a screwdriver.

Sid · 03-04-2026, 04:45 PM

I know that. This is for after you install new points and do the initial timing set up. I have done it the old school way measuring from the bolt hole. This looks like it can make it just a little easier.

jimTN · 03-05-2026, 09:12 AM

The only way to do that is with a dist machine and being able to run it up thru the rpms.

glennpm · 03-05-2026, 09:37 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I set the distributor up using the static method shown in early bulletins and also on Van Pelts site. Note that this is a rebuilt distributor that I got from Drake or Carpenter decades ago. The 3/8" is a bolt not a drill bit.

Regarding the "P" drill bit, check your distributor and use the tightest fit bit. Not all the crabs have a P drilled hole diameter.

Sid · 03-05-2026, 02:31 PM

Yes.. If you have access to a machine that's nice. But you still have to get the initial set up as glennpm shows. This tool makes it so things so can't get away from you accidently. Anyone with some mechanical skill can get a 59 flathead running and starting well and not using a machine. I would bet well over 75% of the folks on this site set their distributors up the old school wat and fine tune as they go without a machine.

Flathead Fever · 03-05-2026, 10:53 PM

I have a 1948 Auto Motors Repair Manual that shows how to time the distributer using a straight edge with the distributer off of the engine. This was all they had back then. There were no timing lights available so there were no timing marks on the crankshaft like modern engines have.

I had the heads off of a flathead and I installed a permanent timing pointer in the front cover. Then using a dial indicator, I put the #1 piston on TDC and I marked the pulley to line up with my new pointer. Then I also marked the pulley at 3, 6, 9, and 12 degrees BTC. Then I installed the distributor and checked the books straight edge ruler for setting the timing to my modern timing marks. I found the books straight edge timing method to be off 4 degrees from my new timing light mark. I bumped the timing up using the adjustment on the side of the distributor.

I was a tuneup guy with an ASE tuneup license and every other license they had, light and heavy vehicles. Since setting my flathead timing using a timing light I've acquired a SUN distributer machine with a flathead Ford adaptor. I have not used it yet, so far it's more of neat storage cabinet for my ignition parts then an actual tool. You're still timing the distributor off of the engine and hoping everything is machined correctly on the engine to match the distributor machine. The timing marks I made for my flathead are the most accurate way to time your engine using a light. I highly recommend you put a pointer in the front cover and mark the pulley if you have your heads off to do so. There is nothing wrong with the old straight edge method, it still works for the initial setting, then you can advance the timing on the distributor until the engine pings going down the road, then back off the timing a little.

hotcoupe · 03-10-2026, 02:58 PM

This is what I use with my crab distributors, easy peasy, no fumbling trying to hold more than the straight edge.
Tom

petehoovie · 03-10-2026, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotcoupe

This is what I use with my crab distributors, easy peasy, no fumbling trying to hold more than the straight edge.
Tom

03-04-2026, 04:12 PM	#3
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,645	Re: 2 Bolt distributor initial timing aid Just set it to where it starts best an runs best, simple as that. You do not need a fancy tool, only a screwdriver.

03-04-2026, 04:45 PM	#4
Sid Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rathdrum Idaho Posts: 780	Re: 2 Bolt distributor initial timing aid I know that. This is for after you install new points and do the initial timing set up. I have done it the old school way measuring from the bolt hole. This looks like it can make it just a little easier.

03-05-2026, 09:12 AM	#5
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,645	Re: 2 Bolt distributor initial timing aid The only way to do that is with a dist machine and being able to run it up thru the rpms.

03-05-2026, 09:37 AM	#6
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mid-Coast Maine Posts: 3,346	Re: 2 Bolt distributor initial timing aid Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I set the distributor up using the static method shown in early bulletins and also on Van Pelts site. Note that this is a rebuilt distributor that I got from Drake or Carpenter decades ago. The 3/8" is a bolt not a drill bit. Regarding the "P" drill bit, check your distributor and use the tightest fit bit. Not all the crabs have a P drilled hole diameter. __________________ Archives of historical but relevant older articles: ------------- Hover mouse over the links below and click! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--------------- Rumble Seat’s Notes Techno Source for the 1932 thru 1953 Flathead Ford

03-05-2026, 02:31 PM	#7
Sid Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rathdrum Idaho Posts: 780	Re: 2 Bolt distributor initial timing aid Yes.. If you have access to a machine that's nice. But you still have to get the initial set up as glennpm shows. This tool makes it so things so can't get away from you accidently. Anyone with some mechanical skill can get a 59 flathead running and starting well and not using a machine. I would bet well over 75% of the folks on this site set their distributors up the old school wat and fine tune as they go without a machine.

03-05-2026, 10:53 PM	#8
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,492	Re: 2 Bolt distributor initial timing aid I have a 1948 Auto Motors Repair Manual that shows how to time the distributer using a straight edge with the distributer off of the engine. This was all they had back then. There were no timing lights available so there were no timing marks on the crankshaft like modern engines have. I had the heads off of a flathead and I installed a permanent timing pointer in the front cover. Then using a dial indicator, I put the #1 piston on TDC and I marked the pulley to line up with my new pointer. Then I also marked the pulley at 3, 6, 9, and 12 degrees BTC. Then I installed the distributor and checked the books straight edge ruler for setting the timing to my modern timing marks. I found the books straight edge timing method to be off 4 degrees from my new timing light mark. I bumped the timing up using the adjustment on the side of the distributor. I was a tuneup guy with an ASE tuneup license and every other license they had, light and heavy vehicles. Since setting my flathead timing using a timing light I've acquired a SUN distributer machine with a flathead Ford adaptor. I have not used it yet, so far it's more of neat storage cabinet for my ignition parts then an actual tool. You're still timing the distributor off of the engine and hoping everything is machined correctly on the engine to match the distributor machine. The timing marks I made for my flathead are the most accurate way to time your engine using a light. I highly recommend you put a pointer in the front cover and mark the pulley if you have your heads off to do so. There is nothing wrong with the old straight edge method, it still works for the initial setting, then you can advance the timing on the distributor until the engine pings going down the road, then back off the timing a little.