1952 8N...Problem with timing.

Good morning. I know that there is a lot of "timing" info out there, but I can't figure this one out. I'm rebuilding my '52, have everything back together. Cam and crank marks are right on. Bring #1 up on compression stroke, set 5 degrees BTDC on flywheel, drop distributor in (rotor pointing close to #1 on cap), turn dist. until points are just opening, now rotor is pointing either between #1 and #2, back it back one tooth, now it is pointing between #1 and #3 ? I haven't tried to start it, trying to do static timing first, and can't get the rotor to point to #1, it always seems to be 1/2 way between ? Any ignition I have ever done, when set right, the rotor will be pointing just before #1 in the cap. Roll pins are secure on the distributor shaft gear, and it did run before. Any ideas will be appreciated. Thank you, Don
 
When you are turning the distributor housing to static time it, you should be turning the housing opposite the rotor rotation direction.

Try setting the static timing with the ignition on, and the cap in place. See if you get a spark from #1 terminal when the coil fires. If so, should be good to go.

Did you replace the cap or rotor? If so, compare the new to the old. Everything now is aftermarket, anything is possible!
 

What is your point gap when the rubbing block is on the top of the distributor cam lobe? Should be .015". If gap is correct compare the rubbing block position on your points with another set.
 
If it is a 52' 8N side distributor after serial number 263843 the points are set at.025"You should be able to turn the distributor housing and shaft to where the points just break on #1 just before TDC.Be sure you have #1 on compression stroke Piston near TDC.Just so you know the flywheel has two sets of timing marks,one at TDC and one at BDC.
 

Den,

Interesting, my 8N is a 1950 and I did not know there were two gap settings. The bigger gap setting will work to pull the rotor back closer to the #1 position. Thanks for pointing it out.

Ken
 
You have a front mount distributor right??? The early 1950 8N where front mount hen some time in April or May they went to the side mount distributor. Front mounts points are set at 0.015 and side mount points are set at 0.025.
 
(quoted from post at 09:14:35 08/10/16) You have a front mount distributor right??? The early 1950 8N where front mount hen some time in April or May they went to the side mount distributor. Front mounts points are set at 0.015 and side mount points are set at 0.025.

Old,

No, my 8N is a side mount, SN 294694. I checked and the points are close to 0.025" so I guess I got it right when I last changed them. The 0.015"in my original post came from my new (reprint) Operator's Manual. On page 10 in the specifications chapter it lists the points @ 0.015" and on page 92 in the distributor and breaker contacts replacement chapter it lists the points @ 0.024" - 0.026". It also shows a picture of a side mount distributor. Oh well...

Ken
 
Thank you all for your replies, and helpful info! As I wrote, in my original post, everything was lined up on the money, but I still couldn't get the distributor to point at #1, with the points just opening. Not able to find out exactly what happened between the time it was disassembled and reassembled, knowing it has to be something "mechanical", the only thing I could think to do was, fix it to run! What I did was index the plate that the points are located on, to where they would be opening when they should , with the rotor at #1, TDC, compression. Runs great....Don
 
(quoted from post at 10:11:52 08/12/16) Thank you all for your replies, and helpful info! As I wrote, in my original post, everything was lined up on the money, but I still couldn't get the distributor to point at #1, with the points just opening. Not able to find out exactly what happened between the time it was disassembled and reassembled, knowing it has to be something "mechanical", the only thing I could think to do was, fix it to run! What I did was index the plate that the points are located on, to where they would be opening when they should , with the rotor at #1, TDC, compression. Runs great....Don
E-drill the breaker plate? Any parts of distributor replaced during re-built? Which? Thx.
 
Good afternoon, JMOR. I thought that would get somebodies attention. The only thing that I can think of (because it was running fine, before the teardown),perhaps the dist. drive gear, on the end of the cam,is a half a tooth off?? I don't know. When I was trying to set the timing, and couldn't get the rotor to line up, no mater what I tried, I took the front cover off to double check everything, and couldn't find anything wrong. So, the only thing I could think to do, was to index the "plate". Of course, I don't like that I did't find the reason, and I didn't make any permanent change, but it starts right up! I don't have the radiator in yet so I can't run it for long, I want to make sure I run the cam bearings in correctly. Don P.S. Sorry, I didn't notice there was a separate section for the Fords, until after I posted here originally.
 
(quoted from post at 14:54:56 08/12/16) Good afternoon, JMOR. I thought that would get somebodies attention. The only thing that I can think of (because it was running fine, before the teardown),perhaps the dist. drive gear, on the end of the cam,is a half a tooth off?? I don't know. When I was trying to set the timing, and couldn't get the rotor to line up, no mater what I tried, I took the front cover off to double check everything, and couldn't find anything wrong. So, the only thing I could think to do, was to index the "plate". Of course, I don't like that I did't find the reason, and I didn't make any permanent change, but it starts right up! I don't have the radiator in yet so I can't run it for long, I want to make sure I run the cam bearings in correctly. Don P.S. Sorry, I didn't notice there was a separate section for the Fords, until after I posted here originally.
hanks for the response, but my questions......?
 
JMOR....Sorry, I did not replace any parts, in the distributor. In my original post, I had mentioned that I did check the "roll pins",(that is what holds the gear on the distributor shaft, and keeps it from turning on the shaft). This my first 4 cyl. flathead, but not my first engine. There are some differences, but they are still internal combustion engines, right? Thanks again....Don
 

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