Question about cleaning the Dist

[jchochole]

Hey Fellers,
I am a Model A newbie (and lovin it) and want to paint my engine after cleaning and getting it back to handsome.

Without changing mechanical positioning - how much of the dist can I disassemble safely without throwing the timing out of whack?

Thanks, and sorry for the noob question,
Jim in Oswego, IL

[Fred K-OR]

Take the cap off, take the body off and take the rotor off. But you can take the whole distributor out without throwing the timing off. But if you want to learn more about your A, take the whole thing apart and then learn how to retime your rig!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Push radially on the distributor shaft. If you can feel or see movement, it's time for an overhaul, meaning new bushings and shaft. If you don't want to do this work you can buy the housing with new bushings and a new shaft installed.

Timing has been discussed several times and is easy to do if you just follow the directions.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Here's a link to a thread about setting the timing. The picture should help.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...timing+picture

[Mitch//pa]

As long as you don't loosen the cam screw under the rotor your timing will stay put. Resetting the timing is very easy and I would recommend doing that anyway so you know it's at spec... Use toms link

[jchochole]

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Too late, I went ahead and began disassembly...so now we'll see. One way to learn I guess.

[700rpm]

Here's a piece of advice on advice: when you ask for it here on The Barn, allow more than 15 minures before you gallop off on your own pony. You'll save yourself a lot of trouble if you just wait till Tom W. or Mitch weigh in, if nothing else. Fred's comment is also right on.

[jchochole]

It was a combination of enthusiasm and Les Arend's book which seemed to instill an "I can do this." spirit in me so I began, either way I am going to learn what the car has to teach me. So, yes I started quickly but it was the honest guidance and tips that keep me coming back to the old cars.

Thanks to all who offered great help and enthusiasm!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Just remember, it's ass backwards of most cars, where you rotate the dist. to set the timing.
Model A dist. is fixed! SO, you loosen the screw in the center of the cam lobe & turn it, to make your timing adjustment. NOT COMPLICATED, just "DIFFERENT"---(Like me & my Dog, Buster--LOL)
Bill W.

[Tom Endy]

You can easily remove a distributor from the engine without disturbing the timing. Just looser the set screw on the side of the head that holds it in place and pull it out. Then unwind the pop-out cable and set the distributor aside. I usually take a tie-wrap and secure the pop-out cable to the coil to keep it out of the way. I Then pull the plugs and clean and re-gap them if needed.

As long as you do not disturb the cam screw the timing stays intact. Reinstall and the timing is still there.

Whenever I change oil in my Victoria I remove the distributor and clamp it in a bench vice and clean it up and re-set the points back to .020. I smear a light coat of grease on the base of the housing to prevent it from rusting and seizing inside the head until the next oil change.

Whenever you set the timing be sure to set the point gap first .018-.022 per the book(.020 is nominal) Then set the timing. As the point block wears down the point gap will close and it will change the timing and the car will not run as good. By resetting the points back to the original setting the original timing setting is restored.

I always carry a spare distributor with me under the back seat that has the points set at .020 and timed for my car. I even run it on the car a little to make sure it works. If I have an ignition fault out on the road it is an easy matter of swapping out the distributor because it is already set for my car.

If I have to use the spare for a fellow club member on a tour, the timing has to be reset for his car. However, the point gap is already set.

Tom Endy

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by forever4

Are you admitting your screw is loose?

YES, but the Dog is the only one that knows for SURE He won't tell, cause I'm the one that feeds him & lets him sleep under the covers with me
Po' Ol' Bill W.

[Bruce of MN]

Since you want to become adept at setting timing, it is a good thing that you took the dizzy apart. You want to be ready to do it at roadside in poor lighting.

[mhsprecher]

I just bought Steve Pargeter's Model A Ignition Primer and Restoration Guidelines. A great book. There is also an article in the most recent restorer on timing that is excellent, too.

[jchochole]

Thanks guys- superb help and advice not found in a manual. I really appreciate your knowledge and time you took to post!

[Fred K-OR]

Congratulations jchocholee! You jumped right in and got your "feet wet" like the rest of the guys like me that know nothing about the A. Good luck and have fun!