Alien device

Myfine69

Myfine69

Junior Member
Is it possible I have hydraulic lifters? I can’t find any flat side to put a wrench on. Also there is this round thingy on my distributor shaft that looks like some kind of gyro whatchamacallit it says Automatic timing system
 
Lifters without flats are original type which are adjusted using a special grinder to shorten the length. The distributor thingy sounds like a centrifugal advance.
 
Should I consider buying adjustable lifters? The valves are a little noisy or is that just the nature of the beast? Thanks for the reply
 
The automatic advance mechanism is clever. However it is not really needed. The amount of advance needed depends on a number of factors including whether the engine has the original head or a higher compression head. The timing is normally adjusted by the operator to suit the driving conditions. The head is designed to provide turbulence which increases with engine speed. The turbulence makes the flame burn quicker so as the engine speed is increased about the same advance is needed. The automatic advance mechanism has a ramp which increases the advance with engine speed. This is not needed and can lead to poor performance and other issues. Plus, the maximum advance may not suit your engine or the driving conditions.

If you have the engine out of the car and on an engine stand, it is really easy to change to the adjustable lifters. The two wrench ones are preferred. Depending on the condition of the cam and how it was ground, the clearance should be anywhere from 0012 inch to more. You can get a new cam from Burtz which has good performance and is accurately ground. Changing the lifters with the engine in the car can be done but is more complicated.
 
Last edited:
nkaminar said:
The timing is normally adjusted by the operator to suit the driving conditions.
Click to expand...

This has been litigated to death, but the purpose of the centrifugal advance is to relieve the operator of the need to do this. Most cars of this and later eras came with some form of auto advance, imperfect though they were, because most operators were happy to be relieved of the need to adjust the advance timing. Just because you like doing it doesn't make the device useless or pointless.
 
I agree Alex, there is a reason Henry put one on the Model 18, because customers were tired of constantly adjusting the spark. If someone isn't used to it or doesn't like having to adjust it constantly, we all shouldn't shame the person who wants it. it's easy to go back to stock if so desired and it just makes the experience more fun for em. I dont have one but I wouldn't shame the person who did. Good for your sticking up on the matter
 
Plus 1. Also my friend has one and he just took his A to an alignment shop and
they can test drive without moving spark. Small perc but he likes it.

John
 
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