Setting distributor timing

[Cecil12]

I have a 620 ford tractor 12v system redid the whole electrical system trying to set the timing.Some say when number 1 cylinder tdc the flywheel should be at 4 degrees and the rotor should be pointing towards the 1 cylinder direction or is it at the 6 o’clock position

 

[john in la]

When the number one cylinder is at 4 degrees before top dead center on the compression stroke the rotor should be pointing to the number one spark plug wire on the distributor cap.
6v 8v 12v one million volts has nothing to do with it.

 

[da.bees]

When the number one cylinder is at 4 degrees before top dead center on the compression stroke the rotor should be pointing to the number one spark plug wire on the distributor cap.
6v 8v 12v one million volts has nothing to do with it.

AND piston comes to tdc ( 4 degrees btdc) once when rotor points to number one spark plug wire and again when rotor is pointing 180 degrees from number one spark plug wire.

 

[Cecil12]

Thank you

 

[Dick L]

I have a 620 ford tractor 12v system redid the whole electrical system trying to set the timing.Some say when number 1 cylinder tdc the flywheel should be at 4 degrees and the rotor should be pointing towards the 1 cylinder direction or is it at the 6 o’clock position

I personally would have number one piston at top dead center with the points just ready to open and the rotor pointing at the number one wire. then let the mechanical advance below the points in the distributor take care of the 4 degrees advance when the engine is rotating.
.

 

[Cecil12]

Thanks for the input

 

[da.bees]

Thanks for the input

Hopefully it results in output.

 

[Cecil12]

Lmao

 

[Dick L]

Hopefully it results in output.

It has worked for me since the 1950]s it worked many times on my stock car and every other engine even on my pulling tractors.

 

[Cecil12]

It has worked for me since the 1950]s it worked many times on my stock car and every other engine even on my pulling tractors.
View attachment 167314View attachment 167315View attachment 167316

It has worked for me since the 1950]s it worked many times on my stock car and every other engine even on my pulling tractors.
View attachment 167314View attachment 167315View attachment 167316

Nice tractors

I’m going to ask this to see if it matters dad always said dumb question is one not asked so if I set my 1 cylinder to top dead center can I set my rotor pointing at 1 wire without having to have flywheel on the 4 degrees?

 

[Andy Wickiser]

I’m going to ask this to see if it matters dad always said dumb question is one not asked so if I set my 1 cylinder to top dead center can I set my rotor pointing at 1 wire without having to have flywheel on the 4 degrees?

Yes that should work, below is the full procedure from the Ford Service manual.

 

[Dick L]

I’m going to ask this to see if it matters dad always said dumb question is one not asked so if I set my 1 cylinder to top dead center can I set my rotor pointing at 1 wire without having to have flywheel on the 4 degrees?

That is the only way the cylinder is at TDC.
I never said that what was said above would not start and run.
When cold timing at TDC the points need to (just) be ready to open (that is the point of spark) Not close to open. clamp down the distributor just before they are ready to open by rotating the distributor back and forth.
Then when you start the engine and check with a timing light you will see your 4 degrees. No other way will be an exact time every time. You would most likely be as happy as a cat with a fresh bowl of milk on not having the Exact timing. If you have a timing light you can always adjust it to the exact 4 degrees. Even with this cold timing way I still always double checked with my timing light. In my mold building close cost me money
These low rpm engines run well when slightly off published advance.
My statement Was---------(I personally would) Not that won't work (you need to)

 

[560Dennis]

I use a vacuum gage , to set time on oldies .

 

[used red MN]

if I set my 1 cylinder to top dead center can I set my rotor pointing at 1 wire without having to have flywheel on the 4 degrees?

It has to be on TDC of the compression stroke. This is determined by either feeling it push compression out while it is being turned as stated in F-3 of the info Andy posted or by watching the valves train if the engine valve train is exposed.
This is what dabees is trying to explain in reply 4 in a very confusing way if you ask me. Simply stated the piston also comes to TDC on the end of the exhaust stroke.

 

[Dick L]

I use a vacuum gage , to set time on oldies .

Yes you can. another easy for those that have the tools. Not all old tractors have a vacuum valve or nipple. Or the new to the jobs have drills and taps to install it. It is good to show the ways to tune an engine.

 

[john in la]

Take the number one spark plug out.
Stick finger in hole.
Crank motor to you feel compression.
Stick screwdriver in spark plug hole and rotate the motor BY HAND until you find top dead center.
Rotate distributor until points are just about to start opening.
Put rotor on distributor and put the number one spark plug wire in the cap where the rotor is pointing.
Install other spark plug wires in firing order around the cap
Re install number one spark plug.
The motor should start like this.
The 4 degree before top dead center only comes into play to fine tune the exact millisecond the spark plugs fires for optimal efficiency and this is usually adjusted with a timing light.
If you don’t have a timing light just adjust it by ear and call it good enough for a working tractor.

 

[Dick L]

Take the number one spark plug out.
Stick finger in hole.
Crank motor to you feel compression.
Stick screwdriver in spark plug hole and rotate the motor BY HAND until you find top dead center.
Rotate distributor until points are just about to start opening.
Put rotor on distributor and put the number one spark plug wire in the cap where the rotor is pointing.
Install other spark plug wires in firing order around the cap
Re install number one spark plug.
The motor should start like this.
The 4 degree before top dead center only comes into play to fine tune the exact millisecond the spark plugs fires for optimal efficiency and this is usually adjusted with a timing light.
If you don’t have a timing light just adjust it by ear and call it good enough for a working tractor.

TDC is marked on the flywheel and he has found it along with the mark on the flywheel mark showing the 4 degrees. That is confusing for so many that have not been there before.

 

[the tractior vet]

I have a 620 ford tractor 12v system redid the whole electrical system trying to set the timing.Some say when number 1 cylinder tdc the flywheel should be at 4 degrees and the rotor should be pointing towards the 1 cylinder direction or is it at the 6 o’clock position

I start the the installation at TDC engine OFF . It will start there and use a timing light and let the engine warm up do minor carb adjustments to get ti to run some what smooth and obtain a vary low curb RPM ideal , THEN and only then do i do the correct timing set while running at a dead slow ideal , THEN we do a WTO timing check for full advance . On I H gas engines , old Ford V 8's and Mo Pars when i drop a dirst in i am with in 3to 5 degrees of being dead on the money every time . Many years of doing this time and time again.