Timing Issue with 424 gas. Just installed distributor

RTR · Sep 19, 2017

I just installed a known good battery ignition distributor onto a IH 424 gas tractor. This tractor has a C-146 engine. I am getting spark and it will hit but it turns over a good bit before it will. I think I have the timing close but not quite right. I set the timing by turning engine to Top of piston on compression stroke at plug #1. I then looked at the rotor button and it was pointing at 6 o'clock. My uncle installed the distributor today and I got home from work and found it this way. The #1 plug tower points to about 2 o'clock. I then removed the distributor and the distributor-to-governor housing and then removed the gear in the back and then turned rotor to 2oclock position. I then tried to match up the gear governor drive the best I could and reinstalled it. Bolted everything back up. Compression is 120-140 on all cylinders

Please help!!!

mattofvinings · Sep 19, 2017

Did you remove the valve cover to make sure that you are using TDC of the compression stroke? The piston goes to the top of the stroke 2x in the "4 cycle" combustion. And only 1 is correct to set the timing.

Also, there's no harm in making a scribe or pencil mark on the distributor base and making very small tweaks in the distributor base position. Make small changes like 1/32" at a time on the circumference.

RTR · Sep 20, 2017

(quoted from post at 08:37:17 09/20/17) Did you remove the valve cover to make sure that you are using TDC of the compression stroke? The piston goes to the top of the stroke 2x in the "4 cycle" combustion. And only 1 is correct to set the timing.

Also, there's no harm in making a scribe or pencil mark on the distributor base and making very small tweaks in the distributor base position. Make small changes like 1/32" at a time on the circumference.

Pretty sure it's the right one. I felt for compression with my thumb while tapping Starter button. Then rolled engine over by hand until piston was at very top.

BarnyardEngineering · Sep 20, 2017

Loosen the distributor hold-down clamp just enough so you can turn the distributor, and have someone crank the engine while you slowly turn the distributor back and forth until the engine fires and runs. Mark your starting point, and make SMALL, SLOW moves.

I've watched people randomly saw the distributor back and forth, and that's just counterproductive.

You can also use a timing light even if the engine isn't running.

Timing Issue with 424 gas. Just installed distributor

RTR

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mattofvinings

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RTR

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

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