crank shaft housing stripped can't align nut to dimple to time car

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by BuckeyemodelA

thank-you fellow ford fans, an update did the centering using spark plug #1 housing and screwdriver to monitor the uplift to center. Husband centered and timed the engine. Engine still cranks but does run. What next?

#1 piston will come to top dead center twice in a cycle. You may have timed it at the start of the intake stroke and not when the plug should be firing.

Finding TDC with the "screwdriver in the spark plug hole" method is not very accurate. Use a philips screwdriver or one of the other methods mentioned to locate the dimple in the cam gear.

If the car has not run for some time (or never under your ownership?), there are probably issues other than timing in order to get the car running.

[goodcar]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

The ratchet nut is 1⅜" but yes you may be able to use a short socket and breaker bar. I have bent several 1⅜" combo wrenches to fit for prizes at our club meetings. Some of the vendors sell a similar wrench.

Nice revamp of the combo wrench, you should market this as those the vendors sell are junk--they bend. I was lucky enough find a vintage Ford crankshaft wrench (1900-Z-??) on ebay for $40.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

As a side note, I went to change out my Ratchet Nut since the teeth were all boogered up and could not hand crank the engine. The Ratchet Nut was not the standard size nut.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by BuckeyemodelA

Husband's model a out of time . Purchased a hand crank only to find out the
bolt that turns the crank is stripped and handle slips off. Need to time engine and align nut to dimple with hand crank Needs solutions at wife wants horse but have to sell the model A it needs to run! Rare case of substituting horse for car but according to wife at least this one runs! Need advice ASAP! With 3 burly men(neighbors) got crankshaft to move 2 full revolutions without bolt seating in dimple. What is wrong here?

How did it get "out of time"? Was the distributor removed and reinstalled wrong? Did someone loosen the screw that holds the points cam and move the cam out of position?
If not, LEAVE THE TIMING ALONE! Just set the point gap and the timing will be right on (unless the timing gears are totally worn out)!

Why oh why do so many people start mucking about with the timing when their engine won't start?
That is the last thing to check, since it doesn't change!