Farmall A starting problems??

[Plow Away]

Can someone please explain to me how to adjust timing on a distributor with a coil. This is a 12v setup on a farmall A if that matters. I just can"t seem to get the engine to start, I"m about 90% sure it"s in the timing.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

Take off the distributor and remove the cap. Crank engine so #1 cylinder is on TDC with the valves on that cylinder closed. The distributor drive coupler should now be in a horizontal position. Turn the distributor drive so the rotor pointer points to the #1 cap terminal. The distributor shaft should be in a horizontal position, bolt on the distributor, but don't tighten the bolts yet, the distributor can be rotated inward or outward, move it so the breaker points are closed and JUST ABOUT TO OPEN. Tighten the bolts and its timed!

 

[John T]

Mines basically the same as Andys good advice, just my methods... Once I get the No 1 piston to TDC ON ITS COMPRESSION POWER STROKE. I can EITHER

Have the distributors rotational timing slightly retarded to where points are closed and the rotor cap is just before where its at the No 1 terminal,,,,,,,,turn on ignition, slowlyyyyyyyyyyyy advance the distributor timing just unitl she fires (i.e. points break open) tighten her down

OR

With ignition off and coil lead to distributor removed (the small lead to side of distributor, NOT the big HV coil wire) use an ohm meter or continuity tester on the distributors side terminal (where wire was removed) to frame ground and with distributor retarted and points closed that should read a continuous 0 ohms closed circuit,,,,,,then slowyyyyyyyyyyy advance the distributor just till that circuit opens (infinite open resistance) n lock her down.

What youre doing is timing her to fire the No 1 plug at TDC on its compression power stroke, this sets the static start timing at TDC NOTE if the book calls for other then dead TDC USE THAT NOT WHAT I SAY my advice is just to get you in the ballpark I have NO SPECS HERE...

John T

 

[rvirgil_KS]

In addition to timing, check the polarity of the coil.

Positive ground battery, the positive + terminal of coil goes to distributor.

Negative ground battery, the negative - terminal of coil goes to distributor.

Reversing coil leads can make it harder to start.

Bob

 

[Plow Away]

Thanks guys, !!!!!

Got her running !!!