Ford 8N timing

I have a fresh 1948/8N/plugs will fire/engine will not start/bell housing does not have a hole to set flywheel timing/how do you check the timing on this tractor/anyone/help!!!

You need to bring No1 piston near the radiator to TDC on the compression stroke. When you're at TDC on the compression stroke your timing mark should be aligned and both valves should be closed.

Remove the cap and see where your rotor is pointing it should be at the No1 plug tower note which way the rotor turns. If the rotor is at the No1 plug wire you need to have your plug wires
connected on the cap in the correct firing and the wires go to the correct corresponding plug like in this order, but your No1 wire may be different. Hal
1-3 This turning CCW.
4-2

If front mount distributor the only timing you can do is before you install the distributor. No place to check when cranking. I have done several of these and had a couple that the only way I could start them the first time was to pull start. Can't say why but it worked.

I've never timed a 8N, but here is how I initially set timing on most engines after I've had them apart. First I bring #1 piston to TDC on compression stroke. Be sure it is on compression either by placing your finger over the plug hole to feel the compression or removing the inspection plate on the side to observe that both valves are closed. After you are SURE that #1 is TDC compression, then I install the distributor so that the rotor is pointing at the #1 post on the cap. You should have noted where that post was when you removed the distributor or you can reference the repair manual. Once the distributor is properly installed, I then turn the distributor until the points are just beginning to open. If I have the electrical hooked up, I will turn on the ignition and watch for the points to spark or listen for them to "snap". If no electrical, I just watch very closely. I then tighten the distributor down and double check to be sure I didn't move it during the process. Place the cap back on the distributor (don't forget to put the rotor back in) and properly install the plug wires. This should get the timing close enough to get the engine started. I'm sure that there are timing marks somewhere. Again, a manual should have that info. After you get the engine started you can fine tune the timing. This method has never failed me in 20 years.

This drawing shows the spark plug wire arrangement.

<img src = "http://ndtc3500.stellarnet.com/~blweltin/Bob/Firing%20Order.gif">

Check out the link below for instructions on timing the distributor.
Setting up the front mount distributor

Lets see??? 2008---1948= 60 years. Yea I think a pull would work. I'm 58 and often need to be pulled to get going.Good luck.

You don't describe changing the points. Based on that I wonder if it was running before you did the plugs?

You best bet to resolve this would be to post on the Ford 9N/2N/8N site. Lots of helpful guys there.

ALL N series Ford tractors WITH front mount dist., virtually DO NOT have timing to change. Sure, on the side of the distributor you will find a big screw that you can loosen a little and slide a block up or down to change the timing a little, but it is such a small amount that you will hardly notice. Most of your timing change is done by setting your points at a different gap.

"WITH front mount dist., virtually DO NOT have timing to change"

Simply put, "BULLPUCKY".

The points need to be set @ .015" for a good hot spark and LEFT THERE.

There IS an adequate amount of timing adjustment by rotating the breaker plate. Since the distributor runs 1/2 crank speed, every degree the breaker plate is moved changes the actual timing by 2º.

That is done "on the bench", and I already have posted a link showing how to do that correctly.

Really Bob! I've been around these N's my whole life and have moved this "slide plate" on the side of the distributor while on the tractor and have never noticed much of a difference. And YES I have tried it on several different tractors not just one or two.

Ever run the distributor an a distributor machine and seen what's ACTUALLY HAPPENING, advance wise? Well, I have.

You're suggestion helped us identify the problem. The valve timing was off. Pulled the distributor and gears and found it was off. Just fired it up and now need to finish putting it back together.