Ignition System Initial Timing (Crankshaft Degrees B.T.C.)

Eckler's

Eckler's

Senior Member
Ignition System
Initial Timing (Crankshaft Degrees B.T.C.)

V8 1932-1948 4°
6 cylinder 1941-1942 1°
6 cylinder 1946-1948 0°
4 cylinder Model B 19°​




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I take a different view on initial advance, probably the least important part of the tuning process and is irrelevant in engine operation. With that said, let me explain the operation of the engine. First it should start and that is the most important purpose of the initial advance on any engine. once started the cent/vac advance take over. In the case of the manually operated advance, the operator selects his version of the idle. With our knowledge od engine performance and economy we realize that the older systems can be improved upon.
 
Hey Ron, your right. most engine start with timing 2-3-4 what ever BTDC. These old baggers are a little different. The Model A is timed with that pin in the front cover, you hand crank over until that pin drops into the detent in the cam gear, that is TDC. the dist hand lever should up on retard than set the dist to just break the points, then when it starts you pull the lever down for some advance. NOW, on the B engine the timing pin is in a different position on the front cover, when the pin goes into the detent that is 19*BTDC, the B dist has a mechanical advance, not the lever like an A, but the mechanical weights only go out 8* so when cruseing you running about 27-28 degrees. I really don't like the B dist so I run an A dist in my B engine in my 31 coupe, I like to play with the advance lever, I like to retard it when slow and I can feel where it run the best cruising. There is not many people today that know how use that timing lever. I make a timing mark and pointer when I build these baggers so I can use a timing light. Walt
 
I had a 24/5 Motel T, and playing with the advance was a great education in timing. I know about the timing pin and detent. However I was thinking more about the later engines.
 
"I take a different view on initial advance, probably the least important part of the tuning process and is irrelevant in engine operation."

Ron, are you including pre-1949 distributors? This can be confusing.
 
Ol' Ron said:
I had a 24/5 Motel T, and playing with the advance was a great education in timing. I know about the timing pin and detent. However I was thinking more about the later engines.
Click to expand...

I hatted the Model T, they only had 20HP, I learned to drive a T when I was 18, my father restored a 26 coupe. Walt
 
Hoop
The early football and crab distributors were probably one of the best designed ignition systems of their day. They were so well designed, they didn't even have a timing mark in the front pulley. So I guess Hank thought the same way. So long as they were in proper working order, the advance was near perfect underALL operating conditions.
 
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