8N Side Dist: Rotor Clip - Question

All,

Poking around this site and another. I heard mention of a rotor clip. My tractor does not have that ('50 8N with side mount). The rotor has always been sloppy on the dist shaft. Could the lack of the rotor clip be the cause of the slop? Could the resulting slop be the cause of my timing jumping around when viewed with a timing light? Seems likely.

Next question. A few years ago (last time I set timing with light), I distinctly remember seeing timing marks with my light through the peep hole. However, I can't seem to find them this time. I found a single mark in the fly wheel and painted white to make stand out. Is there another set of marks with some measure of degrees BTDC? You would think you would need that. If so, then my "single" mark is the wrong thing.

Thanks in advance
 
(quoted from post at 17:14:42 06/07/18) All,

Poking around this site and another. I heard mention of a rotor clip. My tractor does not have that ('50 8N with side mount). The rotor has always been sloppy on the dist shaft. Could the lack of the rotor clip be the cause of the slop? Could the resulting slop be the cause of my timing jumping around when viewed with a timing light? Seems likely.

Next question. A few years ago (last time I set timing with light), I distinctly remember seeing timing marks with my light through the peep hole. However, I can't seem to find them this time. I found a single mark in the fly wheel and painted white to make stand out. Is there another set of marks with some measure of degrees BTDC? You would think you would need that. If so, then my "single" mark is the wrong thing.

Thanks in advance
park occurs upon points opening, NOT on basis of where the rotor is pointing, so, no, timing jumping around is not related to missing rotor clip, but you need it to keep rotor in place both rotationally and vertically. Timing jumping around is more likely worn centrifugal advance mechanism and/or worn shaft & bushing in distributor. There should be two complete sets of timing marks on the flywheel that are 180 degrees from each other.
 

Many thanks. I should have thought that through. I was so excited that I might have identified the problem, that I didn't do much thinking. Still needs to be fixed. I will try and find the correct timing marks tonight or tomorrow.

As always - tremendous info - have a great day
 
I agree with JMOR.

And, in regards to the missing rotor clip, until you feel like spending about $10 on one by the time you buy it and pay shipping, simply put a tiny dab of silicone sealant on the shaft, drop the rotor in place, and let it set up overnight before installing the cap.

Will keep the rotor where it's supposed to be, yet it can easily be pulled of next time that needs to be done.
 
I don't agree. Yes the spark happens when the points open, but the timing light is connected to number 1 plug wire. That spark is determined by when the rotor goes past number 1 terminal on the cap. If the rotor is sloppy then timing will indeed jump around. Those clips are or were available at NAPA stores. Just ask for early Ford rotor clip. You don't have to pay for shipping.
 
(quoted from post at 14:57:08 06/08/18) I don't agree. Yes the spark happens when the points open, but the timing light is connected to number 1 plug wire. That spark is determined by when the rotor goes past number 1 terminal on the cap. If the rotor is sloppy then timing will indeed jump around. Those clips are or were available at NAPA stores. Just ask for early Ford rotor clip. You don't have to pay for shipping.
isagree all you like. but you will still be wrong.
 
(quoted from post at 16:39:32 06/08/18)
(quoted from post at 14:57:08 06/08/18) I don't agree. Yes the spark happens when the points open, but the timing light is connected to number 1 plug wire. That spark is determined by when the rotor goes past number 1 terminal on the cap. If the rotor is sloppy then timing will indeed jump around. Those clips are or were available at NAPA stores. Just ask for early Ford rotor clip. You don't have to pay for shipping.
isagree all you like. but you will still be wrong.

my spanish teacher loved to say "i'm not disagreeing with u - but you're wrong." :lol:
 
(quoted from post at 19:57:08 06/08/18) I don't agree. Yes the spark happens when the points open, but the timing light is connected to number 1 plug wire. That spark is determined by when the rotor goes past number 1 terminal on the cap. If the rotor is sloppy then timing will indeed jump around. Those clips are or were available at NAPA stores. Just ask for early Ford rotor clip. You don't have to pay for shipping.

Thanks for the note regarding the Napa store.

Not to fuel the fire (puns intended) on timing, but the rotor contact (outside that touches plug portion of cap) is pretty wide. I suspect that width is to ensure that the rotor IS in contact with the plug contact when points open. If rotor was not touching when points opened, their would be no spark at all, and the timing light wouldn't even fire.
 
(quoted from post at 18:12:35 06/08/18)
(quoted from post at 19:57:08 06/08/18) I don't agree. Yes the spark happens when the points open, but the timing light is connected to number 1 plug wire. That spark is determined by when the rotor goes past number 1 terminal on the cap. If the rotor is sloppy then timing will indeed jump around. Those clips are or were available at NAPA stores. Just ask for early Ford rotor clip. You don't have to pay for shipping.

Thanks for the note regarding the Napa store.

Not to fuel the fire (puns intended) on timing, but the rotor contact (outside that touches plug portion of cap) is pretty wide. I suspect that width is to ensure that the rotor IS in contact with the plug contact when points open. If rotor was not touching when points opened, their would be no spark at all, and the timing light wouldn't even fire.
ery close, but the two parts don't touch, just get close enough for spark to jump the gap.
 
Ya it can. Had one in the early 1960's belonged to the neighbor who had alzehiemers. He decided to tune up
his unit. He lost the clip. It started but ran worse than usual. We drug it the 1.75 miles to the ford
dealer. Old mechanic knew exactly what was wrong as soon as he started it. Put the clip in and it ran like
it used to.
 
(quoted from post at 18:26:26 06/08/18) Ya it can. Had one in the early 1960's belonged to the neighbor who had alzehiemers. He decided to tune up
his unit. He lost the clip. It started but ran worse than usual. We drug it the 1.75 miles to the ford
dealer. Old mechanic knew exactly what was wrong as soon as he started it. Put the clip in and it ran like
it used to.
ya it can what"? Not impact timing, but maybe result in a wide enough gap that the spark can't jump it.
 
" I suspect that width is to ensure that the rotor IS in contact with the plug contact when points open. If rotor was not touching when points opened, their would be no spark at all, and the timing light wouldn't even fire. "

Nope.

The rotor does not touch the contacts inside the cap.

22k+ volts jumps the air gap easily.


I don't know what the distance is on an 8N, the spec for a Model A Ford rotor gap is .020. Any more than that requires a new rotor.
75 Tips
 
It's my theory and I'm sticking to it (with a smile). First of all, I never said the rotor contact touches the cap terminal. Let's say the rotor is just getting to the leading edge of the cap terminal when the points open. Another time the rotor is just going past the trailing edge of the cap terminal when the points open. In either case the timing light will light, but the timing mark is in a different spot.
 
(quoted from post at 12:56:08 06/09/18) It's my theory and I'm sticking to it (with a smile). First of all, I never said the rotor contact touches the cap terminal. Let's say the rotor is just getting to the leading edge of the cap terminal when the points open. Another time the rotor is just going past the trailing edge of the cap terminal when the points open. In either case the timing light will light, but the timing mark is in a different spot.
ticking to wrong doesnt help you. You are still wrong and clearly do not understand the basics of the system. Study more.
 
(quoted from post at 10:56:08 06/09/18) It's my theory and I'm sticking to it (with a smile). First of all, I never said the rotor contact touches the cap terminal. Let's say the rotor is just getting to the leading edge of the cap terminal when the points open. Another time the rotor is just going past the trailing edge of the cap terminal when the points open. In either case the timing light will light, but the timing mark is in a different spot.
The relationship between the points and the timing marks is fixed, when the points open is when you get the spark. where the rotor is has no bearing on the timing marks. When the rpms increase and the fly weights advance the timing you see the different marks but the rotor is still just pointing at the same terminal in the cap.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top