1950 Mercury

[Flathead 1930]

I am finally ready to start a 1950 Mercury flathead after rebuild. I am setting the distributor and running the sparkplug wires and would like to know if number if one cylinder is located at 12:00 or 6:00. I have searched the internet and have found drawings for both for a late flathead.

Thanks for any information and help!

Ray

 

[Mike51Merc]

Technically you could install your distributor and route your wires wherever you want, but I choose 6:00.

 

[rotorwrench]

Some of the old caps had a 1 near the 6:00 position but that practice has faded. The old Motors Manuals have an illustration that shows the "as you look at it" position.

 

[19Fordy]

When the pointer on the timing cover is lined up with the dot on your crank pulley and your distributor rotor is pointing at 6 o'clock with the points open, that's number one cylinder on the compression stroke. Otherwise you will be 180 degrees off.
Look here and read the post by JSerry.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=184107&highlight=distributor+rotor+rotation
Also, read this thread.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138096&highlight=8ba+rotor+rotation&page=2
PS: Your rotor may not point exactly to 6 o,clock but it will be close to it.

 

[tubman]

I'm with the "6 o'clock crowd". My very original '51 club coupe was that way when I got it 40 years ago and I believe it has the original wires and cap. I can see no reason why anyone would have changed it.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

No 'guessing'. 6 O'clock position as shown in Mercury shop manual.