Ingnition roller

FlatheadTed

FlatheadTed

Well-known member
What type of oil should be used I notice the old timer I am helping is using used engine oil and It looks to be a insulator to me for the timer .
 
i believe it was recommended to use clean motor oil (about 10w-30 these days?) and to wipe out the old oil with a rag every 50 miles, or it might have been apply a few drops of oil and wipe out old oil with rag every 200 miles. Or daily, daily sounds about right.
 
Thanks Dumb ,I looked at one of the books and it said 3 in one oil ,I wonder how much better this would be ,I think any oil that has a higher viscosity would allow the roller to ride on a film of oil and run rough or start missing at speed and possibly cause hard starting ,Has any one tried another oil such as auto trans fluid .
 
Don't think along those lines, heck some pack the timer (roller type) with grease and lord knows enough leaks past the seal anyway! :) There is plenty of metal to metal contact even with grease or oil. Just keep it wiped out and fresh oil or grease and it'll be happy.
Just DO NOT any oil or grease that contains graphite of any kind, if that type is used, yes you will have running problems.
 
I have converted the roller on my 1914 and 1923 by replacing it with 2 sealed ball bearings of the same outer diameter as the original roller. I have covered thousands of miles without problems. Much less wear on the housing and does not require frequent oiling or cleaning.
 
i heard the roller bearings get pitted if the capacitors in the coils get old & die, but the points in the coils would be arcing and burning like crazy too.
 
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