1956 641 timing question 134 gas

ltng7679

Member
The Ford service Manual says to set timing to 4 deg BTC at 400 RPM. The operator manual says 8 deg BTC at 400 RPM. The service manual covers years up to 1964 so I have a feeling it's more up to date. Anyone know?
Thanks
Ed
 
Which manual are you using and are you reading it correctly? The FORD 600 Series Owner's Manual states initial timing is set to 8 BTDC at 475 RPM and Advance at 2000 RPM is 29 to 31 degrees. However, the OEM FORD 601 manual states timing is set at 4 BTDC at 450 RPM with advance at 2000 to 26-27 degrees. I'd go by the OEM FORD Owner's manual first and foremost. The CLYMER I&T FO-20 and/or FO-22 manuals will also have this info. I suggest you go by what the 601 manual states. I don't know why nor can explain why the differences as both use the Red Tiger 134 CID OHV Engine. Here's the pages from both the 600 and the 601 Owner's Manuals. Note the 601 shows a hand stamped stencil of 2-1/8 SHOULD READ 1-1/4. This refers to the carburetor Main Idle Needle Mix Adjustment Screw. The OEM 600 Manual lists it correctly. You need a good running carb in order to set thE timing right.

FORD TRACTOR 600 & 800 SERIES OWNERS MANUAL COVER:
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FORD TRACTOR 600 & 800 SERIES OWNERS MANUAL IGNITION SPECS:
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FORD TRACTOR 600 & 800 SERIES OWNERS MANUAL TIMING SPECS:
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FORD TRACTOR 601 & 801 SERIES OWNERS MANUAL COVER:
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FORD TRACTOR 601 & 801 SERIES OWNERS MANUAL IGNITION SPECS:
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Tim Daley(MI)
 
Kind of a slow day/week for tractor questions, so let us have a poll. How many think 4 degrees matters on this 7.5:1 engine?
 
My owner's manual looks like the one you showed reading 8 degrees BTDC. It's my service manual that says 4 degrees
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Just trying to get all 48.4 HP out of the old girl.
 
Probably not a huge difference and probably not the root cause of the non-starting issue. Suspect something else is wrong in the wiring.

Tim Daley(MI)
 

Then total it out and move on with life...

Total 26/28 life will be good...

Base timing is good as long as it cranks over good, starts good, idles well and hits out total number. What we care about is total where it works at. what you are checking when you tune in base and total is how well the advance in the distributor works. If you are on the money you have a nice Distributor if not work to achieve total even if the base is off nail the total.

Lets say the base is 0 the total is 28 you are good with a worn advance as long as it runs out well run it.

Lets say the base is 4 and the total is 22 move the base to 6 to get a total 24 are move the base to 8 to get 26.

When we go looking for a problem... The base is 4 the total is low lets say 12 you have a big problem with the mechanical advance.


Now we are back to Base timing is good as long as it cranks over good starts good and idles well and hit our total number
 

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