Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....UPDATE & REPAIR!!!

msmaron

msmaron

Well-known member
Any help is appreciated. Have a B Cover on my Model A Engine and just in stalled a newly restored B Distributor.

Set Point gap at .20, found BTDC with timing pin in B Hole. set cam timing with a light to get it perfect. Have a original pop out switch modified with the quick connect wire to a armored cable to B distributor, new points, new condenser. New distributor body and cap, extended copper straps from the spark plug to the distrib for good solid connection.

Getting great spark at points, getting spark from coil wire to head nut making the gap, fuel fine, elec fine and full 6 volts, all accessories working fine also.
CANNOT get it to start at all. Turns over fine but wont catch at all. Fuel flow is fine just will NOT Catch and start..:confused:

ANY Help would be appreciated.
 
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Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

Rotor?? Is the dist turning?? Even if the body is new do you have continuity thru it??
What if we bypass the pop out by jumping across the junction box?? I'm trying to be helpful and I know you've got good experience but these are the things that popped into my head. Good luck and keep us posted, please.
Paul in CT
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

Hmmmm rotor, well never considered that as it was the same rotor this AM that i used on the A Distrib..but i can try it..why would you suggest bypassing the junctin box???
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

Yes paul the rotor is fine...spinning and spark from the plugs also
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

By jumping at the junction box do you not bypass the pop out or is that only with a replacement cable?
Now you say you even have spark at the plugs and it still won't fire?? No pops, nothing?
If it wasn't for the pop out Id ask if the key was on? Are A&B rotors the same?
Paul

There are 2 threads open, same title and both being answered to.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

yes and a & bo rotars are the same, and yes i get pops and it wants to catch but wont..

the pop out is only the switch part...the cable has been removed.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

If it pops but won't start, the timing is set wrong. it may be one of two causes. If you have the correct B timing cover, you should be able to set the timing with the timing pin. You say that you used a timing light to get the timing perfect, it must not be. Try setting the timing with the pin and forget the timing light. Another possibility is that you have a service replacement model A timing cover instead of an actual B cover. Both the service replacement A cover and the B cover have the raised oval boss where the pin installs. The real B cover has the threaded hole for the pin at the top of the raised boss. If you accidently used the A service replacement cover the timing will probably be 19 degrees off.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

As noted above by Purdy Swoft, make sure you have a B cover. Easiest way to check: the timing pin drilling on the B cover is closer to the perimeter bolt hole above it, and on the A cover it is closer to the hole below the drilling.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

After the B engines, were introduced, rather than make two different covers for an A replacement, both covers had a raised oval boss. The model A service replacement cover had the hole for the timing pin drilled at the lower end of the raised boss. The actual B cover had the hole for the timing pin drilled at the upper end of the raised oval boss.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

ursus said:
As noted above by Purdy Swoft, make sure you have a B cover. Easiest way to check: the timing pin drilling on the B cover is closer to the perimeter bolt hole above it, and on the A cover it is closer to the hole below the drilling.
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Purdy Swoft said:
After the B engines, were introduced, rather than make two different covers for an A replacement, both covers had a raised oval boss. The model A service replacement cover had the hole for the timing pin drilled at the lower end of the raised boss. The actual B cover had the hole for the timing pin drilled at the upper end of the raised oval boss.
Click to expand...

YES I have the cover with the raised boss and the hold drill and tapped for the B at the raised part of the boss and also for the A under it.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

When the timing pin drops into the detent in the cam gear, is the rotor pointing towards the right headlamp?

It should be, and the points should just be ready to break open with the rotor turning CCW.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

Sounds like fuel problems. You need three things at the correct time, fire- check compression- check fuel-?. Check the carb.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

Mark,
Now grasping at straws..... You said this is your new Model B dist, so do you have another B condenser to swap out just in case. You said you are getting spark but a different condenser could give you a better spark.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

James Rogers said:
Sounds like fuel problems. You need three things at the correct time, fire- check compression- check fuel-?. Check the carb.
Click to expand...

The carb is fine. Car ran perfect on the am. Compression is fine also.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

modela@aol.com said:
Mark,
Now grasping at straws..... You said this is your new Model B dist, so do you have another B condenser to swap out just in case. You said you are getting spark but a different condenser could give you a better spark.
Click to expand...

Did just that put in a new condenser
Thanks
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

Forget about the timing pin for now.
Put the A dizzy back in and get it running. cut the motor off and turn it over to where #1 fires. Lift the A dizzy out and set the B dizzy in...now set rotor to where #1 fires it should start.
 
Re: Please help with Timing on Model A w/B Distrib....problems!!

msmaron said:
Any help is appreciated. Have a B Cover on my Model A Engine and just in stalled a newly restored B Distributor.

Set Point gap at .20, found BTDC with timing pin in B Hole. set cam timing with a light to get it perfect. Have a original pop out switch modified with the quick connect wire to a armored cable to B distributor, new points, new condenser. New distributor body and cap, extended copper straps from the spark plug to the distrib for good solid connection.

Getting great spark at points, getting spark from coil wire to head nut making the gap, fuel fine, elec fine and full 6 volts, all accessories working fine also.
CANNOT get it to start at all. Turns over fine but wont catch at all. Fuel flow is fine just will NOT Catch and start..:confused:

ANY Help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

If you have great spark recheck the timing. Do it the old fashioned way by checking to see if the rotor aligns with the first cylinder point at tdc.
 
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