The Ford Barn

JayJay · 10-09-2024, 11:27 PM

I do not have a toolbox on the front so I use a 1-3/8” socket, extension and ratchet to turn the engine over. Maybe I’m unusual, but I’ve found a particular position that makes it easy for me to push on the pin with my left thumb and turn the ratchet with my right hand. Kinda wrapped around the radiator. I can see that this would be much more difficult if I could not use the ratchet, in that case a gizmo of some sort might be handy. Maybe not essential, but handy.

Speaking of which, has anyone modified their toolbox to allow the use of a ratchet?

Bruce of MN · 10-10-2024, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJay

I do not have a toolbox on the front so I use a 1-3/8” socket, extension and ratchet to turn the engine over. Maybe I’m unusual, but I’ve found a particular position that makes it easy for me to push on the pin with my left thumb and turn the ratchet with my right hand. Kinda wrapped around the radiator. I can see that this would be much more difficult if I could not use the ratchet, in that case a gizmo of some sort might be handy. Maybe not essential, but handy.

Speaking of which, has anyone modified their toolbox to allow the use of a ratchet?

That, plus using the timing indicator and the offset box wrench makes it pretty easy.

nkaminar · 10-10-2024, 05:44 AM

JayJay, I had the front mounted tool box too and thought about drilling a hole in the back of it so that I could use the hand crank. I ended up taking it off and selling it. When using the crank the contents would have to be removed and the hand crank would only work in the 9 to 3 o'clock sector.

CarlG · 10-10-2024, 11:06 AM

I have the tool box on the front. I have considered drilling a hole that would line up with the crank hole just for the purpose of turning the crank with a 1-3/8 socket with a 1/2 extension. Especially since I had all that set up before I put the tool box on. The crank starting option wasn't considered in my thoughts. In the 14 years I have owned my pickup, it was started with a crank only once, and that was just to prove that it could be done.

JayJay · 10-10-2024, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

That, plus using the timing indicator and the offset box wrench makes it pretty easy.

FWIW, I have the offset crank wrench available from most of the vendors. It has an offset to get around the pulley, but does not have a reversing offset to bring the handle back aft, away from the radiator. I find it difficult to use without scraping my knuckles on the radiator fins.

I looked and Mike's A-Fordable seems to have the one with the double offset, which looks way friendlier to the hands. I think some modification to the one I have is in order.

nkaminar · 10-10-2024, 04:09 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Can you bend the handle on the wrench you have to add the extra offsets?

fried okra · 10-10-2024, 04:44 PM

I agree Jay Jay.

Tom A. nh · 10-21-2024, 12:56 PM

Now available at Snyder antique auto
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...=1103848&cat=0

Hitman · 10-22-2024, 12:34 AM

Same tool, same post right? https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343288

Harrisonmanny87 · 10-22-2024, 12:38 AM

get a guide manual

TJMack · 10-26-2024, 05:40 PM

I just take the #1 sparkplug out and, with a pen-light, watch the piston. It's quite easy to see when it reaches TDC. But I like Tom's tool. Very innovative.

10-09-2024, 11:27 PM	#21
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,108	Re: Electronic cam gear timing tool I do not have a toolbox on the front so I use a 1-3/8” socket, extension and ratchet to turn the engine over. Maybe I’m unusual, but I’ve found a particular position that makes it easy for me to push on the pin with my left thumb and turn the ratchet with my right hand. Kinda wrapped around the radiator. I can see that this would be much more difficult if I could not use the ratchet, in that case a gizmo of some sort might be handy. Maybe not essential, but handy. Speaking of which, has anyone modified their toolbox to allow the use of a ratchet? __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan It isn't a defect, it's a feature!

10-10-2024, 05:44 AM	#23
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,860	Re: Electronic cam gear timing tool JayJay, I had the front mounted tool box too and thought about drilling a hole in the back of it so that I could use the hand crank. I ended up taking it off and selling it. When using the crank the contents would have to be removed and the hand crank would only work in the 9 to 3 o'clock sector. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

10-10-2024, 11:06 AM	#24
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,192	Re: Electronic cam gear timing tool I have the tool box on the front. I have considered drilling a hole that would line up with the crank hole just for the purpose of turning the crank with a 1-3/8 socket with a 1/2 extension. Especially since I had all that set up before I put the tool box on. The crank starting option wasn't considered in my thoughts. In the 14 years I have owned my pickup, it was started with a crank only once, and that was just to prove that it could be done. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

10-10-2024, 04:09 PM	#26
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,860	Re: Electronic cam gear timing tool Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Can you bend the handle on the wrench you have to add the extra offsets? __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

10-10-2024, 04:44 PM	#27
fried okra Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Daniel Island,SouthCarolina/Knoxville, Tennessee/Sanibel Island,Florida Posts: 354	Re: Electronic cam gear timing tool I agree Jay Jay.

10-21-2024, 12:56 PM	#28
Tom A. nh Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hampton NH Posts: 28	Re: Electronic cam gear timing tool Now available at Snyder antique auto https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...=1103848&cat=0

10-22-2024, 12:34 AM	#29
Hitman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 822	Re: Electronic cam gear timing tool Same tool, same post right? https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343288

10-22-2024, 12:38 AM	#30
Harrisonmanny87 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2024 Posts: 10	Re: Electronic cam gear timing tool get a guide manual

10-26-2024, 05:40 PM	#31
TJMack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Venice, Fl and Marcy, NY Posts: 108	Re: Electronic cam gear timing tool I just take the #1 sparkplug out and, with a pen-light, watch the piston. It's quite easy to see when it reaches TDC. But I like Tom's tool. Very innovative.