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Timing Marks?

O

OldBiker

New User
This has probably been covered in the past, but I haven't been able to find anything in the previous posts. Anyway, here goes.

Two years ago, I purchased a (I was told) 1952 Ford 8N tractor with the flat head four cylinder engine. It's a side mount distributor model. Anyway, it started to run a little rough and I went to the local Tractor Supply and bought their Master Tune-Up kit and a set of plug wires.

It's running "fair" but seems down on power and still has a slight miss. I'd like to check the timing, but I can't find any timing marks!

Can anyone either show me a picture or describe where there are, if any timing marks on a Ford 8N?
 
By any chance you didn't happen to mix up plug wire 3 and 4. The firing order is 1 2 4 3 . Some people forget and hook "em up wrong.
 

There are two sets of timing marks on the flywheel where JMOR showed you. The two set are 180 degrees apart. Hook up timing light and use number 1 plug wire and you should see the marks when running. I like to use a bit of paint of them. Unless the dist has come loose it really should be in time. I haven't checked mine in at least 10 years maybe longer.
 
Though it is appropriate to occasionally verify ignition timing, especially after an ignition tune up, ignition timing will not result in misfire except in extreme cases.

That said, bar the engine over until the rotor points toward the #1 spark plug tower. Look through the inspection port for the timing marks. It may be necessary to bar the engine forward and backward a bit to find the marks and it will likely be necessary to clean the flywheel to find them.

I clean the flywheel with a small brush and gasoline with the engine running. Once I find the marks, I mark the 4 degree BTDC mark with white paint or chalk.

Alternatively, you can static time the engine. Post back if you do not know how.

Of course, you will not set ignition timing before verifying contact point setting.

Dean
 
The guys have you covered on the timing hole/marks.
On the other hand I always buy quality points.
The ones sold at TSC are not.
NAPA CS753 or Standard BlueStreak FD-8081X are.

I have gotten TSC points to run Ok but they don't last.
You may want to at least get a set to have as a backup.
I bought a set of CS753 at NAPA this week for $9.69 but
they had to be ordered. They came in the next morning.
 
Following up on what others are saying,
timing isn't the likely cause of your
problem, but it won't hurt to check it.

Point gap at .025?

You have a lot of choices for quality parts:
this site, nnalert's, NAPA, etc. TSC is not
on that list. Get shirts and chicken feed at
TSC, not tractor parts.

Adjusted the carb lately?
75 Tips
 

Thanks guys, I will be sure to check all of these. I really appreciate this, because it was a fine running tractor until recently!

OldBiker
 
Guys, I certainly want to thank you for all the help! I reset the points, checked the spark plug gap and with your assistance, was finally able to find the timing marks. And it no longer seems to run hot.

The tractor purrs like a kitten and runs like it did when I first got it. THANK YOU!

OldBiker
 
Glad to hear you got it back in the game.
I'd still recommend getting a good set of points as spares.
The plastic rubbing blocks on the cheap ones don't last long.
 

I will when I can afford it. I'm a disabled firefighter and am living on a very limited budget. And my wife is a librarian, and we all know how they pull down the big bucks..... :roll:

OldBiker
 
I understand having a limited budget, I really do.
In the long run, I've found it cheaper to buy good
parts once than to buy cheap parts three times.

To me it is also way less frustrating.
Tractor doesn't experience the same symptoms all the
time and I don't have to do the same job repeatedly.

Not to mention that long walk home to get tools.
Twice, because I never get the right tools the first time.
Even though I know exactly what I need.
Food for thought for the next time. It's running now.
 
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