Changing points on superA

Im trying to change the points etc on my super A is it easier to just pull the hold distributor i ve changed several points thru the years but what is the trick to this one
 
Im trying to change the points etc on my super A is it easier to just pull the hold distributor i ve changed several points thru the years but what is the trick to this one
Pulling the distributor open you up to a can or worms trying to get it timed back correctly. I've never pull a distributor on anything but the N series fords to change the points and on them you can't install the the distributor incorrectly with out breaking it
 
Im trying to change the points etc on my super A is it easier to just pull the hold distributor i ve changed several points thru the years but what is the trick to this one
It's just as simple to fold the front cultivator lift rod foward and out of the way to gain access if the cultivators are on the tractor than to pull the distributor. You'll need a stubby flat blade screwdriver and a bent 20 thousands feeler guage to remove and re-install the points and or condenser. It's a little tricky to see and do for the oil filter canister, but it can be done.
 
I find easier to do it on the bench. Take my time , get everything perfect, that way won’t have to do it again for another 15 to twenty years. Get a cup of coffee to sipe .
oh cleaning the contacts on new points is a must do. , and the condenser got to be groundEd . Some new ones don’t thighen up when clamp. To verifyit ground. Have fun
 
Folks are terrified of timing 😞. Mark where the rotor is pointing, remove the distributor and swap the internal parts on a work bench. Slips right back in. Usually much easier,faster and less cussing than working in that tight spot between the oil filter. ......
 
Folks are terrified of timing 😞. Mark where the rotor is pointing, remove the distributor and swap the internal parts on a work bench. Slips right back in. Usually much easier,faster and less cussing than working in that tight spot between the oil filter. ......
It is for sure not rocket science.
 
Folks are terrified of timing 😞. Mark where the rotor is pointing, remove the distributor and swap the internal parts on a work bench. Slips right back in. Usually much easier,faster and less cussing than working in that tight spot between the oil filter. ......
Yet, no matter how well you mark it and how careful you are in not moving anything and getting everything back just the way it came out, it NEVER, EVER wants to run. The timing is always way off.

THAT is why people hate messing with it.
 
Yet, no matter how well you mark it and how careful you are in not moving anything and getting everything back just the way it came out, it NEVER, EVER wants to run. The timing is always way off.

THAT is why people hate messing with it.
Mark it or snap shot it with phone and you can throw the distributor as far in the weed patch as you want to. Simple as pie to go find it and put it back on just like it was. It is not rocket science!
 
Mark it or snap shot it with phone and you can throw the distributor as far in the weed patch as you want to. Simple as pie to go find it and put it back on just like it was. It is not rocket science!
In theory you can mark it but in most cases you put it back on and it is out of time no matter how careful you are. BTDT to many times and know while it should go back on correctly they almost NEVER do and are always off a few degrees
 
Yet, no matter how well you mark it and how careful you are in not moving anything and getting everything back just the way it came out, it NEVER, EVER wants to run. The timing is always way off.

THAT is why people hate messing with it.
Well. Im either good, lucky or blessed. We have pulled the distributors or magnetos off dozens of farmalls,even bought a bunch of tractors missing those parts. We have timed them all correctly the first time. It's as difficult as you want it to be.
 
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In theory you can mark it but in most cases you put it back on and it is out of time no matter how careful you are. BTDT to many times and know while it should go back on correctly they almost NEVER do and are always off a few degrees
But.....it's so simple to adjust a Farmall distributor a few degrees if needed 🤔
 
But.....it's so simple to adjust a Farmall distributor a few degrees if needed 🤔
Yes if you have done it often but if your a novice it can make a man pull his hair out before he gets it right. I've done hundred of engine rebuilds etc. so I have BTDT to many times. Sort of like the Cub I have that the PTO stopped work on.. Due to age and disabilities I can't repair thing like it any more
 
But.....it's so simple to adjust a Farmall distributor a few degrees if needed 🤔
Yep. Actually if you cant adjust a farmall distributor you really should go back in the house. You can throw away every plug wire and install new one with number 1 at any port in cap you want. Easy to set distributor to that. Now that really messes with a so called mechanic
 
In theory you can mark it but in most cases you put it back on and it is out of time no matter how careful you are. BTDT to many times and know while it should go back on correctly they almost NEVER do and are always off a few degrees
if they are off a few degree's is because you have not marked the dist . housing . many times there is even a chisel mark mark to go by. its very easy to verify timing , so not sure what your getting at saying by they are always off a few degree's. it not theory, its the actual practical hands on operation on how careful its done.
 
Im trying to change the points etc on my super A is it easier to just pull the hold distributor i ve changed several points thru the years but what is the trick to this one
Changed points/condenser on an older friend's 140 (similar to a Super A) after it died while plowing snow on a bitter cold day. One look at it and I decided to pull the distributor and work on it in his (somewhat....) heated garage. No way was I gonna mess with it in the cold and snow!

Marked the rotor position, pulled the distributor, took it inside, swapped the parts then stuck the distributor back on. The tractor started right up and ran perfectly.
 

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