Timing Mark Indicator

johncusano

johncusano

Member
Hello new to the forum. Is there a kit out there to install a timing indicator on my flat head? Or do I make one? 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe.With a 59a engine,have it apart so now would be a good time to go it. Thanks in advance.
 
There is not one on your vintage engine, but I always create/put one on any engine that I build and set it up with the cylinder head off (so I truly know where it is). Then I put a big degree wheel on the end of the crank so I can accurately create timing marks for about 25 degrees worth - BTDC - on every 5 degrees. This sure helps me understand how my initial and mechanical timing is working.

Here is a picture of a pointer that I did for my 32 - wanted it to look like Henry built it (added it into the motor mount that bolts to the front of the engine). On an engine like yours, you'll probably need to use some timing cover bolts.

32MountsModified2 copy.jpg

CrankPulleyAndNewMount2 copy.jpg

FrontofMotorComplete2 copy.jpg
 
My '49 8BA has a timing pointer and a dot on the wide rim at the rear of the crankshaft pulley, but I'm not sure how to mark the degrees of the pulley. (Like what is the distance between "0" and "5" degrees?) I have a Chevy distributor and need to ensure the advance doesn't go over about 24 degrees.

Apparently, no one makes adhesive timing pulley tapes, anymore.

Does anyone know the circumference of a '49 V-8 F-1 pulley? Mine is in a place that's difficult to measure.
 
Wow, that was fast.....Thanks, Jack! Six 'n three quarters, got it!

I'm gonna have to mark the degrees on the pulley lip. My old Craftsman timing light is from the late '50s, so there's no advance adjuster.

With your info, I can figure out the distance for each 5 degrees and get pretty close to the optimal timing. Driving it from there might require a little fiddling with it, but I'll have a reference from which to start.

Great site, great folks, too!
 
Notadufus, keep in mind that the mark on the crank pulley is not TDC.

For the pre-8ba here is an example of a pointer Mr 42 posted on the HAMB. In addition to installing the pointer, you need to establish TDC to mark the pulley. It is just a dowel inserted into a timing cover bolt.
 

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Here is a photo of the one Vern sells (listed as currently out of stock).
 

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Last edited:
JSeery said:
Notadufus, keep in mind that the mark on the crank pulley is not TDC.

For the pre-8ba here is an example of a pointer Mr 42 posted on the HAMB. In addition to installing the pointer, you need to establish TDC to mark the pulley. It is just a dowel inserted into a timing cover bolt.
Click to expand...



Ok thanks.


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I agree that every engine needs TDC marked from the builder , just in case you need it. However using a Ford front mount distributor how are you going to adjust the timing ????
The slide bar adjustment is good for 12 degrees at best (usually less) so thats 6 degrees advance and 6 degrees retard. A properly set up crab distributor would need nothing , it should start right up and the advance set up is almost instant when you start the engine. Usually 11 degrees ( 22 engine) and 2000 rpm or less . I think sometimes we overtune, may be needed on a Chevy but not on a flathead!!! Just some " Bubba Vision""..
 
RE: Why do I mark TDC and timing on my crank pulley . . .

I run a front mount angle-drive magneto - so I have a pretty good reason to need to know where the timing is at. Also, it is nice to see the advance mechanism working and what the total advance is (as Vertex style magnetos have a variety of potential advance plates and it is a bit of 'voodoo' to get them right). Of course I also have a distributor machine - which is how I setup everything to begin with.
 
JSeery said:
Notadufus, keep in mind that the mark on the crank pulley is not TDC.

For the pre-8ba here is an example of a pointer Mr 42 posted on the HAMB. In addition to installing the pointer, you need to establish TDC to mark the pulley. It is just a dowel inserted into a timing cover bolt.
Click to expand...

I like this method - super simple to make . . . much better than my approach on my 32! (Just sayin!).
 
Notadufus said:
My '49 8BA has a timing pointer and a dot on the wide rim at the rear of the crankshaft pulley, but I'm not sure how to mark the degrees of the pulley. (Like what is the distance between "0" and "5" degrees?) I have a Chevy distributor and need to ensure the advance doesn't go over about 24 degrees.

Apparently, no one makes adhesive timing pulley tapes, anymore.

Does anyone know the circumference of a '49 V-8 F-1 pulley? Mine is in a place that's difficult to measure.
Click to expand...

Just use some masking tape , wrap around the pulley , overlap it and cut . Remove the tape and measure it's total length . Divide in 1/2 then 1/4 1/8 etc till you get what you want . 1/2 = 180 deg and so on . Then remount and Mark your pulley with a file or paint marker .
 
George/Maine said:
From 32 to 48 there was no need the cam did the timing not like the 8ba.
Click to expand...

I'm not exactly sure what you're saying? Is it that the slot on the end of the cam determines where the distributor indexes - so you really can't adjust it anyway . . . except a few degrees? Unlike the 49-53 where you had a "modern" style distributor - can be installed in any timing position - so you needed something to work from (the factory markers)

I'm the type of guy that just has to know where things are at - because I don't trust things that I can't see or measure . . . so even if I was running a stock style distributor (with the tang) - I'd have timing marks to validate what is going on.
 
Ggmac said:
Just use some masking tape , wrap around the pulley , overlap it and cut . Remove the tape and measure it's total length . Divide in 1/2 then 1/4 1/8 etc till you get what you want . 1/2 = 180 deg and so on . Then remount and Mark your pulley with a file or paint marker .
Click to expand...

That's allot of marks that will have a cumulative error, guaranteed. By the time you get around the pulley you could be off by 10 degrees! Or more!
 
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