Ferguson TO 20

[junnie and freddie]

I have rebuilt a 1948 Ferguson TO 20. I"m having difficulty timing the engine. There is no timing hole in the block to get dead center. Any suggestions or methods use would help.

 

[Richard L]

J & F, Okay if you follow these directions you can see a picture of where the timing hole is located and it may have a plug in it when you find it. On this page left column look for Research & Info, under that you click on Search This Site then when that page loads in the top box type in "TO 20 timing hole" in the 2nd box you scroll down to "Ferguson Forum" then click the Search button. If you will go to # 42 then click on the top date of 1-7-08 (at the end of the thread it says) "location of timing peep hole" then scroll down down until you see the picture showing the peep hole location. If you need more help please post again. Richard

 

[Jerry/MT]

There should be a half dollar sized hole with a notch in it under the starter. The timing marks are stamped on the flywheel and the notch is the "pointer" .

 

[Mark from the Fort]

when you do find the hole, you will want "almost" top dead center on piston #1....by almost I mean that you will want #1 near the top and when watching your points in the distributor, they should JUST start to separate at the # 6 or #7(in the hole) (which will be 6 degrees and 7 degree respectively BEFORE top dead center.)
If they are not, take out all spark plugs-hand rotate until #1 cylinder is almost to top and stop the hand rotation at 6!!! then, loosen distributor clamp (at base of distributor) and rotate very slightly either way until the points JUST begin to open. Tighten the clamp back down and you should darn close.

 

[Mark from the Fort]

when you do find the hole, you will want "almost" top dead center on piston #1....by almost I mean that you will want #1 near the top and when watching your points in the distributor, they should JUST start to separate at the # 6 or #7(in the hole) (which will be 6 degrees and 7 degree respectively BEFORE top dead center.)
If they are not, take out all spark plugs-hand rotate until #1 cylinder is almost to top and stop the hand rotation at 6!!! then, loosen distributor clamp (at base of distributor) and rotate very slightly either way until the points JUST begin to open. Tighten the clamp back down and you should darn close.

 

[Mark from the Fort]

sorry for the double post...

 

[R . l . HULL]

A couple of the posts have located the timing mark and hole .
To static time it , ( old V.W. manuals explain this procedure real well ) Determine where the mark is on the flywheel and bring the number one piston up on the COMPRESSION stroke untill the flywheel timing mark is on the stationary timing indicator .
Now loosen the distributor clamp and turn the dist. in the direction that the rotor normally turns until the points close . ( the points should be gapped before you start this procedure ).
With the ignition switch on , now turn the dist. in the opposite direction until you either see a spark across the points , or you hear the spark when the points just start to open .
Clamp the dist down at this point and you are as close as you will ever get .
This is one advantage of having a point type distributor . All you need is your eyes and ears to time them .
Good luck
Keep the shiny side up

 

[John (UK)]

If there is no hole in the block to time the engine then it is maybe like the TE20 version that uses a mark on the timing cover (lower right side)and a Vee slot in the crankshaft pulley, when they are lined up it is TDC. It also says that it is impossible to time the engine with a timing light with the rad and cowl fitted...If you want to make a permanent mark that you can use with a timing light, I can send the information to you. The timing should be set to 7 deg BTDC when the engine is idling at 400rpm and 29 - 33 deg at 2000rpm.....John....
fergusontractors @ tiscali.co.uk

 

[junnie and freddie]

Thank you for responding to the forum. This has helped my dad. You had stated that you had imformation on how to make a permentant mark for the timing. Could you please send Dad the imformation and I'll get it to him.

Thank you,
Nora

 

[John (UK)]

I can't send the information to you on here Nora, you need to email me at:-
fergusontractors @ tiscali.co.uk
just send me the same info as you did in this mail and I will send the pictures and info to you direct.....John