Case 530 / G159 Ignition Timing

[KM Thompson]

Well, I managed to get the Pertronix module installed ('Thank You' to all who provided advice in this regard). The installation instructions include the warning that 'the Ignitor can move the timing as much as 10°' and apparently they're correct, as my timing is now so advanced that the engine won't start (I'm assuming that it's too advanced because when I crank it, it occasionally almost has 'compression lock'). Oh well, I've owned the machine for almost 5 years so it's probably due for a timing adjustment anyway.

Before setting the timing, I have two questions:

1. How the f*&$ do I get the distributor clamp loosened? The clamp screw is set in a lateral orientation and has a slot screw head with about 5/8" to get a screwdriver on it (see attached jpg: the clamp is located under the distributor in way of the arrows). Since I don't have a 5/8" long screwdriver, it would appear that, to get proper access to it, I would have to remove the starter, or at least the starter bussbar. On my parts tractor (310), the distributor uses a normal (or at least, my version of 'normal') clamp, with a hex-head bolt with a 7/16" hex-head nut, and the bolt is oriented longitudinally rather than laterally on the 530. I can't quite read the number plate on the 310's distributor, but it appears to be different from the IAD-6003-2F on the 530. Can I swap the clamp from the 310 onto the 530?

2. I have the Operator's Manual for the 530CK and the I&T #C-202 Shop Manual. The Operator's Manual only gives static timing as 4° however I'm not sure if it's possible to set this on my now point-less system. The I&T manual, at Paragraph 114 of the 430-630 section says "Advance data is in distributor degrees and distributor rpm: 13° @ 875rpm." I've never seen a timing spec. expressed quite that way. Does it mean that I set the timing to 13° @ 1,750 rpm or do I double the degrees or halve them?

 

[Joe (Wa)]

I can't make out anything from that pic, maybe a different angle? Pic 1 is my Case 310 with factory Autolite IAD6003 2J and bracket VTA2775, does your bracket look like that? Orientation?. Pic 2 is a partial list of tractors that use the VTA2775 bracket. Pic 3 & 4 is your distributor from the original Case 530 parts catalog with a VTA2775 bracket and ID. Pic 5 is a one inch off-set screwdriver. You can buy these in smaller sizes or bend a screwdriver to fit, would either work? Probably not I suspect you already been down that road. Try another pic.

I can't help you with the advance curve timing setting but IIRC mEl is expert at that.

 

[casecollectorsc]

Grab it with a large water pump pliers and turn it???

 

[KM Thompson]

I can't make out anything from that pic, maybe a different angle? Pic 1 is my Case 310 with factory Autolite IAD6003 2J and bracket VTA2775, does your bracket look like that? Orientation?. Pic 2 is a partial list of tractors that use the VTA2775 bracket. Pic 3 & 4 is your distributor from the original Case 530 parts catalog with a VTA2775 bracket and ID. Pic 5 is a one inch off-set screwdriver. You can buy these in smaller sizes or bend a screwdriver to fit, would either work? Probably not I suspect you already been down that road. Try another pic.

I can't help you with the advance curve timing setting but IIRC mEl is expert at that.

Thanks for that, Joe.

The first problem is that the space in way of the distributor is so limited that I can't get my camera close enough to take a photo from a better angle (my 530 has a Model 31 loader fitted, so it's not open on the side like an Ag tractor).

As for the bracket, the bracket on the 530 is indeed the VTA-2775, in the same orientation as shown for your 310, but the bracket on my parts-310 is a different part: The hole for the screw used to fasten it to the block is in the same orientation and appears to be in the same location as VTA-2775 but the clamp screw is a 1/4" bolt oriented 90° counter-clockwise (parallel with the block and on the right hand side of the distributor) from the unit on the VTA-2775.

Having said all of that, if your 310 has an IAD-6003 distributor, then can I assume that the distributor on my 310 is also an IAD-6003 (as previously mentioned, the number plate on the 310 distributor is illegible)? If so, I can take the clamp from that unit and fit it to the 530 distributor and have easy access to the clamp nut.

As for the offset screwdriver, yes I tried that but the blade leg of my offset screwdriver is about 7/8" long and the space between the clamp screw head and the starter bussbar is only 5/8", so no go. It should be noted that the 530 has a different starter than your 310, with the solenoid mounted on the top near the forward end and a bussbar extend forward from that on the left side.

 

[KM Thompson]

Grab it with a large water pump pliers and turn it???

Nope. I have a tiny set of water pump pliers (about 5" long) and I can't even get those in there, at least not in any way that I can get a grip on them.

 

[Joe (Wa)]

This is the factory distributor for 1956-57 300 series tractors. The difference is 2J gov springs versus 530 2F gov springs.