Rebuilt B engine has no power dilema

To use a timing light, I understand how to make a pointer and mark the pulley at TDC with the timing pin in the detent. But how do you determine how much advance you want without using a degree wheel on the pulley ?? And then, unlike a modern engine that you just rotate the distributor to get the total advance, do you just keep adjusting the rotor to get close to what you want ?? And, what do you want at max advance, 30-40 degrees total ?? I am not seeing the advantage of using a modern timing light on an engine that wasn't designed to be timed this way. Sorry for my mental block on this.....thanks
 
Timing gears are the same for both A and B. The cam differences between the two is the lift not the position where the gear is mounted. When setting the timing; at the recess, the B cover sets the timing to BEFORE top dead center and the A AFTER top dead center with the lever up at starting.
 
I recently bought a Model B engine. I compared the lift of Model A camshafts I have with the B camshaft only to find out my B cam had much less lift! The B camshaft lobes are very sharp and wear down easier than the Model A camshaft.

My advise is to pull the camshaft out and measure it. Fordgarage gives some good info on cam lifts.

I have seen some cams that the lobs are reground to a sharp point. From what have been told, they should be rounded and if they were worn would be rounded over from wear, not sharp.
Doesn't the B cam have a longer duration then the A? So the valve would open in about the same place but stay open longer? Also where the heel is in relationship to lift.
 
Compression sounds good.
Timing is set the same as normal Model A, and only needs 30* advance at most.
If moving the spark lever down past 3/4 still makes the engine run better, then the timing is set late.
Hold your hand behind the tail pipe, to be sure there is a strong blast when someone opens the throttle.
Make sure the throttle opens all the way.
Be sure you have a hot blue spark at least 1/4" or more.
 
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