Model B timing cover and Model A distributor

[Ian in Mississauga]

I recently got my b block back from a rebuilder and he did me what he though was a favour and installed a model B timing gear cover and adjusted the Model A distributor to make it work.
I did not notice this and reset the timing for a model A. And of course it's obvious something is very wrong. I would like to drive the A this weekend and would appreciate any info for a temporary fix.

[Tom Endy]

Take the #1 spark plug out and rotate the engine until the piston is top dead center on the firing stroke. Then set the timing.

Tom Endy

[Benson]

Ian,

You can time it using the Ford method with the timing pin with one difference.

Follow all instructions with one exception:

1. Instead of moving the spark lever (left side) all the way to the top, just move the spark lever 1/2 of the way down from the top.

This will set timing correctly when using the Model B timing cover with a Model A distributor.

The Model A cover is set for 0 degrees.

The Model B cover is set for 19 degrees ADVANCED.

The spark lever goes 0 to 40 degrees so setting it 1/2 way down will retard the timing 20 degrees so that it is at the correct Zero degrees when you return the lever to the top of the quadrant.

Actually it should be just a little BEFORE 1/2 way (19 degrees)!

The reason it runs bad is that the B timing cover starts at 19 degrees advanced .... when you move the lever down to full advance, you have 19 plus 40= 59 which is WAY TOO MUCH.

[harleytoprock]

Sorry to hijack, but how would you know if its an A timing cover or a B timing cover?

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by harleytoprock

Sorry to hijack, but how would you know if its an A timing cover or a B timing cover?

Here is more than you ever wanted to know:
http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/timingcovers.htm
Short answer, if the boss where the pin goes is round it is an "A". If it is oblong it is probably a "B" (The exception being that sometimes the later cover casting was drilled by the factory for the A).

Charlie Stephens

[darrylkmc]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by harleytoprock

Sorry to hijack, but how would you know if its an A timing cover or a B timing cover?

All you ever wanted to know about Timing Covers, thanks to Vince Falter:

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/timingcovers.htm

But the basic difference is the location of the Timing Pin, Model A is lower, closer to the second bolt hole, Model B is higher, closer to the third bolt hole.

Darryl in Fairbanks

[harleytoprock]

Thank you, lots of great info!

[Ian in Mississauga]

Thanks Tom and Benson I'm good to go.