The Ford Barn

37Flat · 10-21-2018, 02:56 PM

I am trying to time my distributor as described on Van Pelt's site, using the two rulers. I have it turned to the right position, left point is opening, right one is slightly open as I hope you can see in the pic. Pretty sure it's not right yet, but not sure what to do next. Any and all advice is appreciated.

FortyNiner · 10-21-2018, 04:50 PM

I would suggest using feeler gauges to check the contact opening and to go through the process a couple of times. Be sure to break up your work sessions to avoid a 'what was I thinking' outcome.

You only care about the left contacts for timing exercise but should set the point gap for both.

As a complete greenhorn, I managed to get mine set seemingly right. You can too.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 10-21-2018, 06:24 PM

After carefully setting the point gap , line up the brass tab with the contact centered, (like pic shows) install distributor and drive it .......

koates · 10-22-2018, 01:44 AM

Clean and dress\polish both sets of contacts with fine wet and dry paper and wash and blow off any residue. Make sure they align nice and parallel to each other, if they don't then bend the stationary contact bracket, and set both sets at .014" exactly. Smear a very small amount of high temp disc brake bearing grease around the cam. Set timing scale on centre mark or up one graduation advanced and refit to car and test drive it. Don't mess around with those two bloody rulers. Vacuum brake screw may need to be adjusted if engine pings under load, but I would leave it where it is for now. There is more than that to a complete distributer rebuild but that will get you running very well provided coil, condenser and ignition switch are all good. Regards, Kevin.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 10-22-2018, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koates

Clean and dress\polish both sets of contacts with fine wet and dry paper and wash and blow off any residue. Make sure they align nice and parallel to each other, if they don't then bend the stationary contact bracket, and set both sets at .014" exactly. Smear a very small amount of high temp disc brake bearing grease around the cam. Set timing scale on centre mark or up one graduation advanced and refit to car and test drive it. Don't mess around with those two bloody rulers. Vacuum brake screw may need to be adjusted if engine pings under load, but I would leave it where it is for now. There is more than that to a complete distributer rebuild but that will get you running very well provided coil, condenser and ignition switch are all good. Regards, Kevin.

I build these almost every day and i say : AMEN !!!!!! Good job ...

37Flat · 10-22-2018, 10:33 AM

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Thanks for the help. Now back out to the shop.

10-21-2018, 04:50 PM	#2
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,137	Re: Distributor Timing I would suggest using feeler gauges to check the contact opening and to go through the process a couple of times. Be sure to break up your work sessions to avoid a 'what was I thinking' outcome. You only care about the left contacts for timing exercise but should set the point gap for both. As a complete greenhorn, I managed to get mine set seemingly right. You can too. __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

10-22-2018, 01:44 AM	#4
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,079	Re: Distributor Timing Clean and dress\polish both sets of contacts with fine wet and dry paper and wash and blow off any residue. Make sure they align nice and parallel to each other, if they don't then bend the stationary contact bracket, and set both sets at .014" exactly. Smear a very small amount of high temp disc brake bearing grease around the cam. Set timing scale on centre mark or up one graduation advanced and refit to car and test drive it. Don't mess around with those two bloody rulers. Vacuum brake screw may need to be adjusted if engine pings under load, but I would leave it where it is for now. There is more than that to a complete distributer rebuild but that will get you running very well provided coil, condenser and ignition switch are all good. Regards, Kevin.

10-22-2018, 10:33 AM	#6
37Flat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 125	Re: Distributor Timing Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the help. Now back out to the shop. __________________ Chris KNKStudio221.com