OT Model A timing

Bruce (VA)

Well-known Member
I was having trouble getting the A model timing "just right". My first discovery was that the control rod was too short....and the OEM rod was not adjustable. The fix was easy: use the long throttle rod from an 8N, which is adjustable. I got one, cut it down, re-threaded it & put it on the car. It helped some....but still not right. I'm just not good enough at this mechanic stuff to adjust it by ear, so I figured I'd use a light. So, I made a pointer, found TDC, scribed the pulley, then measured the correct distance for the advance & marked that. It took two very, very small adjustments on the distributor cam to get it dead on w/ the light. Many thanks to JMOR, Jim UT & John Smith for help on this project!
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That's why I like my 17 Model T so much. The rod going to the timer has a curve in it and you increase or decrease the curve to change the timing. Also, no timing marks. I do it by ear and feel.
Richard in NW SC
PS. On a 17, it is very important to have the timing correct and the lever retarded or you might have a broken arm.
 
You do know that the thing sticking out of the timing cover in the second picture is for finding TopDead Center didn't you?

Then you turn the distributor cam till the points open.

Zane
 
Yep Zane, that gets it close. But the normal wear in the parts plus the V8 points I put in it wouldn't let the normal timing adjustment work.
 

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