Distributor Timing

I bought a tea 20, not running. Noticed the distributor was out (clockwise from its normal position by about 90 degrees) I adjusted the timing (hole in flywheel on No. 1 cylinder, rotated the distributor set points ) and tried to start engine. Sounded like it was firing back on itself. I moved the distributor back to the position it was originally found in (about 90 degrees clockwise from its normal position) and the tractor started. It seems to run pretty good. A little low in power but not bad. Originally I thought the timing chain had jumped gears but it seems to run too well. Compression is also good in all cylinders (95-110 psi) Any ideas as to why the distributor seems to be 90 degrees out. This is hard to time like this as the reference point (hole is the flywheel) cannot be used.
Thanks Steve

Sir.
I own and have set the ignition timing (6-volts) on my TEA 20 S# 182991 several times and there are NO visual marks that can be seen on the flywheel when the STARTER is removed!

There is a 1/4 " diam. hole just below the starter flange that I insert a 1/4" rod/drill bit into that lines up with a 1/4" hole drilled in the FWD side if the flywheel. This RIGGING procedure is to take place with the #1 piston traveling up on the compression stroke.

On my TEA 20 this rigging procedure will lock the # 1 cylinder at TOP DEAD CENTER.I then install the DISTRIBUTOR and turn the distributor until the POINTS are just on the verge of opening. I call the corresponding distributor contact point in the distributor cap # 1 and connect the remaining three wires to the spark plugs in the correct firing order.

I recently replaced the clutch and pressure plate in TEA 20 S# 182991 and noticed there is an ARROW stamped on the peripheral of the flywheel. This arrow lines up with a casting mark on the aft side of # 4 cylinder at the same time the rigging pin aligns with the hole In the engine and the hole in the flywheel.....yes # 1 TOP DEAD CENTER.

I then marked the engine casing with a METAL marker (with starter removed)and placed a mark on a tooth of the ring gear lining up with my mark on the engine casting. Each tooth of the flywheel is equal to 2.48 deg. (360/145 teeth). I placed a mark on ten of the teeth.

I gave the tractor a pull and connected a STROBE light to # 1 spark plug (used a 12 volt battery on a work stand)) and found that the ignition was not at the desired timing point that I preferred 25 deg. With the throttle set so as the PTO was running at 525 RPM I turned the distributor housing until the distributor was firing at 25 deg BTDC.

NOW:
Here is a note to know. ENGINE S# SIE to S8995E fitted with Lucas dist. MODEL D3A4 Lucas SERVICE # 40132 has a hole in the flywheel at 10/100/190 and 280 BTDC number 1 cylinder.

ENGINE S# S8996E onwards fitted with Lucas dist. Model D3A4, Lucas service No. 40146 has a hole in the flywheel at TDC # 1,as well as 90/180/and 270 deg before TDC. CORRECT LOCATION OF TIMING PIN IS TDC of firing stroke # 1 cylinder.

I did notice that on U-TUBE there is a video of some one checking a TEA 20 igniting timing In the above procedure that I checked mine. Also in the FERGUSON ARCHIVES "TEA20 Back to life" a posted picture of a Ferguson WITH timing marks on the FWD face of the flywheel

Bob..Owner TEA-20

Thanks Bob
I was unaware there more than 1 hole in he fly wheel. I'll check this afternoon. Steve

Someone compensating for having the plug wires in the wrong place on the dist. cap? Not even sure if it would run like that but could be!?!?

If the distributor drive gear (inside the pedestal) is not meshed correctly with the camshaft gear, then the engine can be correctly timed (and run fine) with the distributor way out of position, or the plug wires installed "wrong" (depending on just how the gears are meshed), or both.

It can even be exactly 180 degrees out, meaning that with the distributor and plug wires in the "normal" positions, #4 is being fired when #1 is ready to fire. Since both #4 and #1 come to TDC at the same time, any timing marks will line up; but the engine won't run.

I have the engine timed now. I found that even though the distributor was not in the normal position I am accustomed to on my other Tea 20 when I put the No I cyl to tdc position (compression stroke) there was the hole in the flywheel to carry out the timing. All went well. The engine hasn t run in seven years I was told but now seems to be running pretty good. May need some governor and carb attention as it does miss occasionally and doesn t hold a power setting well. All in all satisfactory. Thanks

Quote:
May need some governor and carb attention as it does miss occasionally and doesn't hold a power setting well. All in all satisfactory. Thanks


I have a TEA-20 that the Governor was faulty (Engine RPM would over shoot and not return). I noticed with the Starter removed,and a mark (metal marker)applied to the starter BOSS FLANGE the distributor shaft did not start to move until several teeth on the flywheel had passed the mark applied to the starter Boss?

After the Timing Gears and Chain were replaced only two teeth would pass by the Mark on the Starter Boss instead of 5 + teeth.

With Timing Chain, Gears and Governor components exposed a WEIGHT on the Governor plate had become disconnected, and other weights were faulty at the point of connection.

Shims are to be added or removed from behind the Crank Sprocket so as to align Crank sprocket and camshaft sprocket:


Bob...Owner TEA-20 and other colored Tractors...

Quote:
May need some governor and carb attention as it does miss occasionally and doesn't hold a power setting well:


I had an engine that was low on power and performed Terrible:

See pictures as to Distributor findings:
Bob....Tea-20...6 Volt Standard Engine..

As a side comment, I've heard some reports of replacement cam sprockets that are not drilled correctly. They will work, but flipping front to back does not produce the 4 degree change in cam timing. They only adjust in 8 degree increments.

The OP has his problem solved, so I'm only mentioning this for others who may find this thread later. If you should find such a sprocket, my suggestion is to return it for either a refund, or a sprocket that works as original.