late '31 Model A engine, all stock

[PutPutBang]

Engine runs much smoother when spark lever is set to full retard and is much rougher when lever is pulled towards floor and engine then 'knocks' a little. Seems lever is working backward. Any ideas, suggestions?

 

[Marshall V. Daut]

Initial timing is too far advanced. Loosen the distributor cam set screw and turn the cam a little clockwise to retard the timing. Not much, just a tweak at a time. Check after each adjustment. When the timing is too far advanced, the engine runs better as the spark lever is moved upwards to the retard position. As it is advanced by pulling the lever down, the engine will knock. Just retard the timing in small increments until you find the sweet spot for both the retarded and advanced spark lever positions. That should do it.
Marshall

 

[Brentwood Bob]

Check the timing. Look at the slack in the rotation of the rotor. Bob

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Any looseness on the rotation of the rotor must be accounted for when timing the engine.

 

[marc hildebrant]

Check out the ignition timing in the Ford owners manual or the books by Andrews. Your timing with the lever all the way up should be 0 degrees at top dead center or with the timing pin into the detent.


The excellent information at : http://abarnyard.com/ will help.

Marc