engine timing

[BRS]

I am currently adjusting the timing on my 58" ford 800. I have located TDC on cylinder #1. I believe #1 cylinder is at the front of the tractor, furthest away from the seat, correct? Anyway, when I put the distributor cap on, with the points open(on the high lobe), the rotor is lining up about half way between two of the points on the distributor cap. The distributor can only go on two ways with the way the clips fasten it to the rotor/point assembly. No matter which way I rotate the rotor/point assembly or rotate the distributor cap it will not line up properly. Is the rotor suppose to line up directly on one of the distributor cap points when the lobe is on the high side and the points are open? Should I attach the #1 plug wire to the distributor point prior to opening or the one after closing? Hope I make sense and any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Brad

 

[shaun wallace]

Are you missing dust cover? It only lets cap go on one way

 

[GlenIdaho]

Sounds like you removed the distributor. Is that correct? You may have the gear off by a tooth. Lift the distributor slightly and rotate the rotor to the # 1 plug tower and then drop the distributor in. If it does not go down all the way bump the starter and it should drop. See the below thread for info also.
Untitled URL Link

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 19:48:26 04/23/09) I am currently adjusting the timing on my 58" ford 800. I have located TDC on cylinder #1. I believe #1 cylinder is at the front of the tractor, furthest away from the seat, correct? Anyway, when I put the distributor cap on, with the points open(on the high lobe), the rotor is lining up about half way between two of the points on the distributor cap. The distributor can only go on two ways with the way the clips fasten it to the rotor/point assembly. No matter which way I rotate the rotor/point assembly or rotate the distributor cap it will not line up properly. Is the rotor suppose to line up directly on one of the distributor cap points when the lobe is on the high side and the points are open? Should I attach the #1 plug wire to the distributor point prior to opening or the one after closing? Hope I make sense and any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Brad

Not ON "high point", rather just as points barely start to open. And be sure that you are turning in same direction as it turns in normal operation.

 

[jwthomas]

Maybe your timing is just merely off some. Have you checked it with a timing light?

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 13:26:03 04/24/09) Maybe your timing is just merely off some. Have you checked it with a timing light?

Yep, JW, "off some" translates to about 30 degrees off as he is trying to set at peak of lobe, rather than at first contact break. Not likely to get it to run to put a light on it when off that far.