The Ford Barn

1935TOWtruck · 01-20-2018, 06:27 PM

Hi am in need of some help working on 1931 pickup timing followed all steps but spark advances won’t open work like it’s supposed to.if I turn cam to number 4 it tests ok any suggestions thanks.once I turn cam to number one it will not open points.

GRutter · 01-20-2018, 06:51 PM

Not sure what is going on from your description.
You must set the point gap first, and setting point gap should be the same as you rotate the cam, regardless of which cylinder the cam is rotated to. If it's not, it sounds like you may have a very bad cam or a lot of wear in the distributor bushings.
Another area to look if the problem is only related to spark advance, would be distributor housing wear that allows the distributor plate to move as it is rotated, or a worn plate.

aermotor · 01-20-2018, 06:55 PM

Probably 180 degrees out on the timing. Make sure the valves are closed when #1 cylinder is at TDC - Go 1 more revolution on the cam gear for the timing pin to depress.

Bob C · 01-20-2018, 07:16 PM

Follow Marco's instructions. http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/timing.htm

Bob

1931 flamingo · 01-20-2018, 07:32 PM

Original or the modified V8 point style??
Paul in CT

burner31 · 01-20-2018, 07:53 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Got your spark lever all the way up (retard)...not you, the points

1935TOWtruck · 01-20-2018, 10:07 PM

Thanks for all the tips what is happening is I found dimple after cranking engine then set points to .020 I hooked test light to one side of coil light goes out when I turn key on then I lower spark lever and my test light won’t light up when rotor is facing number one if I rotate to different cylinder everything checks fine

1935TOWtruck · 01-20-2018, 10:08 PM

Original style points

Mike V. Florida · 01-21-2018, 12:11 AM

Grip the points cam and see if it wiggles in the bearing. If it does you need new distributor bearings. If you can twist it a little that's ok but no side to side.

The upper plate, how does that fit? Does it have any side to side movement? It should not have any as this would change the gap.

So to review,

Check everything for a good fit.

and on Marco's site under the "Preliminaries" section of the timing page, Set the engine to #1 by using the pin. Loosen the cam and rotate it so that the point block is on a cam lobe and the points will open no more. Adjust the gap.

Follow the rest of the instructions given on Marcos' site. Remembering only turning the cam clockwise to take out any backlash.

01-20-2018, 06:51 PM	#2
GRutter Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Mint Hill, North Carolina Posts: 386	Re: Spark advance trouble Not sure what is going on from your description. You must set the point gap first, and setting point gap should be the same as you rotate the cam, regardless of which cylinder the cam is rotated to. If it's not, it sounds like you may have a very bad cam or a lot of wear in the distributor bushings. Another area to look if the problem is only related to spark advance, would be distributor housing wear that allows the distributor plate to move as it is rotated, or a worn plate.

01-20-2018, 06:55 PM	#3
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Spark advance trouble Probably 180 degrees out on the timing. Make sure the valves are closed when #1 cylinder is at TDC - Go 1 more revolution on the cam gear for the timing pin to depress.

01-20-2018, 07:16 PM	#4
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,751	Re: Spark advance trouble Follow Marco's instructions. http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/timing.htm Bob

01-20-2018, 07:32 PM	#5
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Spark advance trouble Original or the modified V8 point style?? Paul in CT

01-20-2018, 07:53 PM	#6
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Spark advance trouble Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Got your spark lever all the way up (retard)...not you, the points __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

01-20-2018, 06:27 PM	#1
1935TOWtruck Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 20	Spark advance trouble Hi am in need of some help working on 1931 pickup timing followed all steps but spark advances won’t open work like it’s supposed to.if I turn cam to number 4 it tests ok any suggestions thanks.once I turn cam to number one it will not open points.

01-20-2018, 10:07 PM	#7
1935TOWtruck Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 20	Re: Spark advance trouble Thanks for all the tips what is happening is I found dimple after cranking engine then set points to .020 I hooked test light to one side of coil light goes out when I turn key on then I lower spark lever and my test light won’t light up when rotor is facing number one if I rotate to different cylinder everything checks fine

01-20-2018, 10:08 PM	#8
1935TOWtruck Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 20	Re: Spark advance trouble Original style points

01-21-2018, 12:11 AM	#9
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Spark advance trouble Grip the points cam and see if it wiggles in the bearing. If it does you need new distributor bearings. If you can twist it a little that's ok but no side to side. The upper plate, how does that fit? Does it have any side to side movement? It should not have any as this would change the gap. So to review, Check everything for a good fit. and on Marco's site under the "Preliminaries" section of the timing page, Set the engine to #1 by using the pin. Loosen the cam and rotate it so that the point block is on a cam lobe and the points will open no more. Adjust the gap. Follow the rest of the instructions given on Marcos' site. Remembering only turning the cam clockwise to take out any backlash. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II