Timing
- Thread starter DelPercio
- Start date
nkaminar
Well-known member
Not often. It is more important to check the point gap as that will effect the timing and the dwell. Even if you remove the distributor, and do nothing to it, and re install it, you will not have to check the timing. A different distributor or a rebuilt one or new gears for the camshaft or the distributor driving gear or wear over time or a new intermediate shaft would require checking the timing. If you acquire a car then check the timing. I have seen the timing really messed up by someone who adjusted it.
The comment about timing gear ware is important to note. With a new gear and a rebuilt distributor you should be able to go many, many miles without having to change the timing. Low mileage car could go years. We have a car with only 4,000 miles on rebuild, but 20 years. Have changed plugs twice, nothing else. Runs great. If it isn’t broken, don’t try to fix it.
Rotor, points, and plugs are different.
Years ago, I had a good friend that owned Model T’s and A’s. He had to mess with the timing on his A’s all the time. He was never happy with how the ran, and they never did run right.
Enjoy.
Rotor, points, and plugs are different.
Years ago, I had a good friend that owned Model T’s and A’s. He had to mess with the timing on his A’s all the time. He was never happy with how the ran, and they never did run right.
Enjoy.
Synchro909
Well-known member
Needed something to work on. Plugs are easy. 20 years is a long time.
70,000 is a WOW! Great job.
Enjoy.
Synchro909
Well-known member
Actually, timing on a Model A is set by that lever on the left side of the steering column. Whenever you move the lever, the timing changes. The more you pull the lever down, the more the timing is advanced. Initial, or base, timing is basically a set and forget deal. It will not change until/unless the timing gears or the points wear. Gears wear very slowly and very little. The points, however, do wear and need regular adjustment. Just keep the point gap within spec. and base timing will be within spec. No need for constant fiddling!
The timing lever, on the other hand, needs to be adjusted often for changing conditions-idling, slow speeds, high speeds, hills, even passenger loads.
Bruce of MN
Well-known member
If the heel on the points wears, wouldn't that change (retard) when the points open?
Yes. That's why you regularly check and set the point gap. Of course you can easily compensate for this wear to some extent by moving the timing lever down a couple extra clicks or so. This will get the timing back where it was.
Will N
Well-known member
Once you set the point gap and the timing and tightened down the distributor cam you never have to check the timing again unless you fiddle with the distributor cam. (Assuming that you have good teeth on the bottom of the cam that won't slip). If the points close up because of wear on the rubbing block, resetting the gap to the original setting will restore the timing automatically.