farmall distributor

4936farmall · Dec 17, 2019

I have a 40 degree distributor and need a 16 degree unit what is the best way to fill the slot in the plate? I'm sure there is a method to the madness some of you old timers have figured out over the years that would be helpful in getting it right.

Janicholson · Dec 17, 2019

Use a protractor to find the Degrees,then make a tab of metal to fit the gap, then braze it in place. Use weaker springs!! Jim

4936farmall · Dec 17, 2019

I'll give it a shot, thanks for the help.

pete 23 · Dec 17, 2019

I have filled the hole in some with liquid steel. Did some calculating on how large the hole is taking into consideration how much of the hole that the stop tab on the cam takes up. Might have to take it apart a couple times but but it doesn't have to be perfect. With in a few degrees.

The advance curve is harder to get right so it gradually advances but there again, the old Magneto fully advance as soon as the engine started up so you don't have to be perfect there either.

It will be a better system at any rate and if you do get it to be close to fully retarded at low idle while still fully advanced at full throttle, you will have a smoother running engine at lower speeds.

Bob · Dec 17, 2019

(quoted from post at 13:02:13 12/17/19) Use a protractor to find the Degrees,then make a tab of metal to fit the gap, then braze it in place. Use weaker springs!! Jim

"Use a protractor to find the Degrees"

As I'm sure everyone realizes, for an advance of 16 crankshaft degrees you need 8 degrees of distributor advance, NOT much travel of the advance mechanism at all.

gene bender · Dec 17, 2019

so how do you know thats how much advance have you had the dist on a stroboscope to check it out as that would be the best way to find out. Those are hard to find but you could find out what is happening from 500 to 1600 rpms. Are you building a pulling engine or just general use. Timing lite will show also. How many deg is the timing set now for starting.

pete 23 · Dec 17, 2019

I assume he had the breaker plate out of the distributor to check it out and they are clearly marked what total advance such as 40 degree L for instance. Distributor number stamped on mounting flange will also tell if you have chart to compare it with.

Duner Wi · Dec 17, 2019

I did this on a Delco dist for a Farmall that need less advance 40+ years ago.
I think I blocked the weights so they could only advance so far. I did not weld or braze.
Stronger springs might achieve your goals also unless I am thinking about this all wrong.
I assume this is about 2000 engine RPM or 1000 dist. RPM.

csr · Dec 18, 2019

The distributers I'm familiar with are the 22, 30, and 40 degree gas ones. The 22 and 30 have a hole and the 40 has a slot. If comparing all three, you'll notice the tangency of the two holes and one end of the slot are all in the same angular location. That's the "no advance" position. The extent of advance is determined by the other end of the slot or hole. The 30 deg hole is a little bigger than the 22 deg hole. I decided to weld and grind back the male lug rather than shrink the hole/slot size. Worked great. Reduced the travel to about 20 degrees. I have some pictures somewhere I could see about digging up if needed.

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