|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
09-15-2019, 09:50 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Gurnee, Illinois
Posts: 270
|
Ignition timing
1947 59A standard ignition
Looking down on the distributor sitting on my bench. The vacuum brake is at the top. The right ignition point gauges at about .015. Which is in spec. The left one, however, gauges at .009 or a little less. What effect does the smaller gap have, if any, on the timing? What effect does the smaller gap have, if any, on anything else? |
09-16-2019, 07:08 AM | #2 |
Member Emeritus
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia
Posts: 2,204
|
Re: Ignition timing
Smaller gaps delay or retard timing. Gaps too small can reduced point life and foul or shunt as a result of corrosion/erosion/dirt.
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
09-16-2019, 07:37 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Florida and Penna.
Posts: 4,471
|
Re: Ignition timing
The points are NOT set with a feeler gauge. They are
on a Ford~Heyer strobe machine on a dwell meter. G.M.
__________________
www.fordcollector.com |
09-16-2019, 08:43 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 287
|
Re: Ignition timing
There are other ways to do this, such as a sun distributor machine or a k. r. Wilson timing fixture. My ford service manual calls for .014 to .016 setting and shows how to set the points using a straight edge.
|
09-16-2019, 09:47 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: harpursville ny
Posts: 1,040
|
Re: Ignition timing
When set up on a sun machine,the right points are adj. to an initial dwell with the left ones blocked off with a piece of fiber such as a match pack. That is then removed and the total dwell is set buy adj. the left set.
|
09-16-2019, 03:37 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
|
Re: Ignition timing
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Last edited by FlatheadTed; 09-16-2019 at 06:24 PM. |
09-16-2019, 09:09 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Orcas Island Washington
Posts: 4,914
|
Re: Ignition timing
Anyone have a pic of the straightedge method? I remember seeing it in one of the books I have somewhere. Thanks
__________________
Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson) |
09-16-2019, 09:36 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tinley Park Ill
Posts: 1,060
|
Re: Ignition timing
Some of the early edition Motor Manuals have it in them probably before 1949.
Those manuals dont bring a lot of money |
09-16-2019, 09:38 PM | #9 |
Member Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
|
Re: Ignition timing
Look on VanPelts site.
|
09-16-2019, 11:23 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
|
Re: Ignition timing
Here's some tips
http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm Distributor timing .32to 48 timing fixture don't need em , |
09-16-2019, 11:57 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,327
|
Re: Ignition timing
If you are using quality points although not ideal you could set them by gap not dwell. If you are using cheap quality points it’s a crap shoot. Send it to someone with a sun machine and for little to no money they can adjust to the proper dwell and set the timing.
|
09-17-2019, 05:17 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Qld, Australia
Posts: 4,212
|
Re: Ignition timing
There are static jigs around for setting the dwell, there are two on ebay now,exspensive though.
keep a lookout for them . Lawrie |
09-17-2019, 07:29 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Guston,ky
Posts: 653
|
Re: Ignition timing
I am a poor guy, I set mine with a set of feeler gauges, like my Dad did before me all the way up till mid 70s when Dad 75 Lincoln.
|
09-17-2019, 07:36 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,303
|
Re: Ignition timing
Ya' know, I was in your camp until about 3 months ago, when I replaced the points on the Mallory dual point on the '51 Merc in my '51 Ford. For some reason, that particular setup didn't have the little slots they usually have where you can insert a small screwdriver to move the points a little bit at a time. I bought an old universal dwell/tach meter off of eBay for $20. Now I realize I should have done it 50 years ago.
|
09-18-2019, 09:45 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 1,137
|
Re: Ignition timing
One of the problems in these discussions is terminology.
TIMING an early flathead distributor is a little different than TESTING a distributor. TIMING involves setting the dwell and adjusting the initial advance. TESTING means checking the distributor for wear, bad parts, faulty operation, etc. TIMNG and TESTING can be done at the same time ... with aging distributors and questionable new parts, it's a good idea. BUT, claiming that one cannot TIME a flathead distributor using feeler gauges to set the dwell ... ? THINK about it. Ford designed, patented and produced the distributor with the intent of having points set with feeler gauges. Ford did not design it so that owners had to send their distributors to G.M. and Skip Haney to be timed.:roll eyes: The misinformation, much from using the wrong descriptions, has given the distributors a bad reputation. Am all for testing distributors. But, when someone asks how to time one, please give a knowledgable answer.
__________________
"Remember that when it comes to intelligence, half of all of us are below average." |
09-18-2019, 09:54 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,327
|
Re: Ignition timing
Hoop i would agree with that last part if all we used were genuine Ford parts. Ever set up a 32-36 with a feeler gauge using reproduction points and checked the dwell?
The 49 and later guys and 4/6 cylinder guys should have no issues using a feeler gauge to set dwell |
09-18-2019, 10:19 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 1,137
|
Re: Ignition timing
Michael,
The "knowledgable answer" would include exactly what you've said. Further, there is no guarantee that sending your distributor out for rebuilding will have it TIMED correctly. That includes units that have been "set up" on Sun or Allen strobers and the rebuilder does not understand initial advance. There are a bunch of guys running around losing 20% or more of their advance because of improper settings. I know you are well aware of the issue and that distributors leave your shop correctly set.
__________________
"Remember that when it comes to intelligence, half of all of us are below average." |
09-18-2019, 10:27 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,327
|
Re: Ignition timing
Hoop,
Yes I agree. I tested many “rebuilt” distributors that the initial timing was not set they just seemed to guess at it. |
09-18-2019, 10:34 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Bonita, CA
Posts: 1,374
|
Re: Ignition timing
That's how I do it. Also what Bubba recommends.
|
09-18-2019, 12:14 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oshkosh, Wi
Posts: 4,526
|
Re: Ignition timing
Also the way Ford recommends.
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|