Farmall M - simple timing question

[Pmer]

I started pulling a M that is allready set up for pulling and been searching the forum and I am wondering how people know how many degrees of timing they have? I can see the 2 marks on the pulley but I think I need some timing 101 for it to make sense to me.

I am asking because I think its having trouble lugging. I was in a 5000lb farm stock class in second gear; It lugged for a while but powered out.
The hitch is 26 back and 18 down with 16.9 X 38 Good Year Radials. The carb now has a stock venturie a drilled main and meter tube holes. I put a LP manifold on it and could see big valves and a lot of porting - no need to do port matching. I have a M&W dyno and it made 58 Horse at 540 RPM before the manifold and carb work but it dropping from there. The dyno now has a blown hose and I have to buy alot of oil.
Right now the pointer is to the left of the two marks on the pulley. Thanks

 

[DandK]

You do not have enough engine for those tires in second gear. You have a low gear tractor. No amount of tuning or timing will make it an 80 HP tractor.

 

[Superih]

On a stock M timing can usually be set by ear and this will be almost dead on to optimal on a dyno.

If you are looking to set your timing to a certain setpoint you will need an adjustable timing gun.

Pull the #1 spark plug, rotate engine by hand until air is pushed out the spark plug hole, then continue to rotate until the piston is at the top of the cylinder (use a flash light and get it perfect). Mark the timing indicator on the front cover and the timing mark on the pulley with a white paint marker

If you are looking for 20 degrees total advance, with the engine running set the timing gun to 20 degrees and adjust the distributor until the timing marks on the pulley and front cover match each other while using the timing light.

 

[jbradley]

You have a 1st gear tractor that will work better with 13.6X38 to 14.9X38 tires weighted for 5500 to 6500 pound classes. Just my experience especially if you have a club with 15 to 20 tractors per class in the 5000 to 6500 classes. What do others think?

 

[Pmer]

I do have a set of NOS 14.9X38 co-ops and 14" rims but I haven't had time to put them together. The M does hang on better with the smaller venturie and these 16.9's really do grip. They are old and hard and have 1'' of tread. I ran them at 13 or 14 PSI. My next two pulls have tracks with more sand in them so maybe the bigger tire in first gear is OK.

And thanks for the info on adjustable timing lights!

 

[jbradley]

start a new message and let us know how they perform on your tractor in sand. maybe can learn something also. thanks.