Distributor 300 Farmall

Bought a new distributor from Bates Corporation that is capable of a maximum advance of 40 Deg. When the tractor is running full throttle I only have 9 Deg. advance. I'm thinking I need to put in lighter springs. Any one ever work with one of these distributors? I do have full engine speed because I had 600 RPM on the PTO. Thanks.
 
Don't know what the RPM specs are on the advance curve for that distributor. I assume that's 40 crankshaft degrees. Since its new I would send it back. If going to work the tractor 40 degrees is to much for a 300.
 
I agree with Slater, 40 degrees is way too much for a 300 as factory distributor is 22 degrees advance. Are you static timing it to tdc and then checking full advance or checking total advance running engine. Many of those distributors advance 10 to 20 degrees at low idle due to improper springs, weights etc and then you don't know what total you actually have.
 
Yes I static timed to TDC then checked timing at full throttle. I have a timing light that reads degrees advance so that is how I know the total advance. Before I installed it I called Bates because I thought 40 Deg. sounded like a lot. He said they sell these because they work on just about everything and you can set your total advance. I asked him how you set the advance and and he said by turning the distributor. If I'm only getting 9 Deg. total advance and set it to 22 Deg. that will be 13 Deg. at TDC. That's why I thought lighter springs would help, cause it is not getting even close to what it is capable of.
 
That is what I love about parts retailers. One size fits all. If you have a true 40 degree advance distributor and it actually advances 40 degrees, turning the distributor to adjust it so you have 22 degrees advance at full throttle will make you 18 degrees after top dead center at low idle. Certainly not what you are looking for. I would take a look under the breaker plate. They come out easily without disturbing any of their product. The advance limit on an IH distributor is done with a hole in the plate of shaft and shafts are marked with a number . A 40 L would be the mark. There are 30 L, 25 L , 22 L, and 16 L to take care of all IH four bangers for dist, gasoline, & lp with various heads and pistons. The springs control the rate, plate on shaft controls the max limit.
I use an old fashioned timing light and go by the marks on the pulley. If I don't remember what each mark is I measure pulley and get out the calculator. Did I say, I love those fit all units.

Reminds me of a battery ignition distributor I called up for a few years ago. Called salvage yard customer wanted me to use. He said he had a good distributor, just what I needed. I said, well, I will check it out when I get it. He says, oh no, you will ruin it if you take it apart. I just kind of snickered, told him been doing them for 50 years,(taking them apart, not ruining them that is) I'm taking it apart. Good thing I did as it needed plenty of work. I also have filled in the limiting hole and modified the springs to get the advance I want. Good luck.
 
Thanks for the info. I thought when he said to adjust the advance by turning the distributor that won't work I'll mess up my base timing. I will take the old distributor apart first and see how it works. I may have to pick your brain again when I work on the new one. Thanks.
 

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