504 distributor

centash

Well-known Member
I am trying to get a 504 gas to start but it tends to kick back on the starter, making me think there is too much advance, I cannot get the distributor to rotate to retard the timing. There is a small set screw on the shaft part of the distributor housing, does this need to be loosened or removed? Thanks.
Ben
 
Shouldn't need to touch the set screw, just loosen the two clips at the base that clamp it in place. It may be stuck in the housing. Big Plier and try it.
 
the set screw on the distributor is a plug.your suppose to take it out and put a grease zerk in it and give it a squirt of gun grease once in a while. there should be one on the distributor drive the same size to lube the drive gears also.
 
(quoted from post at 23:31:56 01/28/19) I am trying to get a 504 gas to start but it tends to kick back on the starter, making me think there is too much advance, I cannot get the distributor to rotate to retard the timing. There is a small set screw on the shaft part of the distributor housing, does this need to be loosened or removed? Thanks.
Ben

If it is the screw that I am thinking of, it is not a set screw. It is a plug for a grease fitting. It is meant to be removed to install a grease fitting for [u:623438399a]occasional[/u:623438399a] greasing of the distributor shaft bushings. I suspect that IH's thinking was if a grease fitting was installed in there permanently then it would get greased along with the rest of the tractor which would be too frequently, resulting in excess grease working it's way into the distributor.
 
Those distributers are bad about slipping a notch or so, what with a few years of wear. I have sold and replaced several. The springs could be bad, saw one lock up some time ago, lots of possibles. Check your timing to 1st cylinder.
 
(quoted from post at 17:31:56 01/28/19) I am trying to get a 504 gas to start but it tends to kick back on the starter, making me think there is too much advance, I cannot get the distributor to rotate to retard the timing. There is a small set screw on the shaft part of the distributor housing, does this need to be loosened or removed? Thanks.
Ben

Tell us the "rest of the story".

When was the last time it started and ran?

If it hasn't been mucked with, the timing hasn't "jumped" forward. DOESN'T happen without the intervention of a stupid human.

On the other hand, if you don't know any history or when it ran last, who knows what's gone on, including rearranging sparkplug wires by the CLUELESS.

Yep, CLUELESS/BLEMS.
 
Everything in the distributor is gear driven, so for anything to "jump" would mean that one or more gears is/are missing one or more teeth somewhere.

To rotate the distributor requires loosening two 5/16" (1/2" wrench) bolts at the base of the distributor where it enters the engine block at the rear of the governor housing. There is very little reason for the distributor to not move once these bolts are loosened sufficiently, no more than a turn to a turn and a half. In fact I have never met one that would not turn once those bolts were loosened.

Try giving it a little tap-tap-tap with the handle of your hammer.
 

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