The Ford Barn

jhowes · 02-20-2019, 04:51 PM

I'm looking over the three dizzy's that I need to rebuild and all have a difference in the dimension of the slot where the upper plate timing lever sticks out. One measures 1" wide by 3/8" high. Another measures 1 and 1/4" by 3/8" high. The third is smaller and measures 3/4" wide by 3/8" high. I think the first one is correct but I thought I had better ask. Thanks Jack

denniskliesen · 02-20-2019, 05:07 PM

I would only guess without seeing a picture of all of them. The last one 3/4" wide possibly an older one. The others will give you more advance timing range. Either way Ford advised to not trim the opening in the body. It was made to limit the angle to 20degrees.

Joe K · 02-20-2019, 05:17 PM

Later distributor bodies have "webs" to reinforce where the bale clips attach with rivets.

Earlier not so much.

Joe K

lindy williams · 02-20-2019, 05:24 PM

the narrower slot was used until the end of 1930. the early levers were narrower than the later levers. The maximum advance was 20 distributor degrees and 40 crankshaft degrees.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-21-2019, 08:27 AM

If you widen the slot, NO big deal!!! Learn your cars' sounds & adjust the spark lever accordingly.
Bill Ta-Ta-Ta- Dum

Bob Bidonde · 02-21-2019, 10:04 AM

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The distributor body opening for the timing lever should limit the spark advance to 20 degrees. A 20-degree limit was appropriate back when the Model A was and gasoline octane was about 50. However, today we have 87 Octane gasoline, so the engine can run with more than 20 degrees maximum advance.

Some folks time the engine with the spark lever down a few notches because they know from experience, it makes their Model A's run well.

I suggest that you use the distributor body with the widest opening that permits the greatest amount of full advance, and iterate the timing by adding lever-down notches until you find the maximum advance that your engine will tolerate.

jhowes · 02-21-2019, 03:55 PM

Thanks to all. I think I will use the 1 and 1/4 one because it is brown and I like the contrast. Jack

Dick Steinkamp · 02-21-2019, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Some folks time the engine with the spark lever down a few notches because they know from experience, it makes their Model A's run well.

Seems to me that timing the engine with the spark lever down a few notches will REDUCE the amount of possible advance. What am I missing?

02-20-2019, 04:51 PM	#1
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Dizzy side hole I'm looking over the three dizzy's that I need to rebuild and all have a difference in the dimension of the slot where the upper plate timing lever sticks out. One measures 1" wide by 3/8" high. Another measures 1 and 1/4" by 3/8" high. The third is smaller and measures 3/4" wide by 3/8" high. I think the first one is correct but I thought I had better ask. Thanks Jack

02-20-2019, 05:07 PM	#2
denniskliesen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 877	Re: Dizzy side hole I would only guess without seeing a picture of all of them. The last one 3/4" wide possibly an older one. The others will give you more advance timing range. Either way Ford advised to not trim the opening in the body. It was made to limit the angle to 20degrees.

02-20-2019, 05:17 PM	#3
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Dizzy side hole Later distributor bodies have "webs" to reinforce where the bale clips attach with rivets. Earlier not so much. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

02-20-2019, 05:24 PM	#4
lindy williams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 335	Re: Dizzy side hole the narrower slot was used until the end of 1930. the early levers were narrower than the later levers. The maximum advance was 20 distributor degrees and 40 crankshaft degrees.

02-21-2019, 08:27 AM	#5
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Dizzy side hole If you widen the slot, NO big deal!!! Learn your cars' sounds & adjust the spark lever accordingly. Bill Ta-Ta-Ta- Dum __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-21-2019, 10:04 AM	#6
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Re: Dizzy side hole Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The distributor body opening for the timing lever should limit the spark advance to 20 degrees. A 20-degree limit was appropriate back when the Model A was and gasoline octane was about 50. However, today we have 87 Octane gasoline, so the engine can run with more than 20 degrees maximum advance. Some folks time the engine with the spark lever down a few notches because they know from experience, it makes their Model A's run well. I suggest that you use the distributor body with the widest opening that permits the greatest amount of full advance, and iterate the timing by adding lever-down notches until you find the maximum advance that your engine will tolerate. __________________ Bob Bidonde

02-21-2019, 03:55 PM	#7
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Re: Dizzy side hole Thanks to all. I think I will use the 1 and 1/4 one because it is brown and I like the contrast. Jack

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