MF-50 timing

[EricG1793]

A friend and I have been trying to get our MF-50 (gas) running after sitting for a year and a half. It ran pretty well when we parked it, but now it won't even sputter when cranking.

We noticed that the distributor is loose; it rotates pretty easily (but not quite freely). There seems to be a clamp that would keep it from moving, but we're wondering if if perhaps the distributor is supposed to be rotated to retard/advance the timing during operation, if not then, at least to make an adjustment as needed. Either way, it's been fussed with and we're wondering how to reorient/secure it where it's supposed to be.

We bought a Massey Ferguson technical service manual on eBay that covers multiple tractors with multiple engines, but it [i:1c94b4befc]would[/i:1c94b4befc] be the case that the part for the ZF-134 engine is missing....

Thanks for your help![/i]

 

[Steven-Id]

According to my manual it says to first set the point gap to .022. Since the distributor is out of time anyway just turn it to set gap. Look to see which way the distributor rotates also. After gap is set remove #1 spark plug and bring #1 cylinder up on compression stroke. Be sure it is on compression stroke. Bring timing marks to proper location (high altitude is TDC and standard altitude is 6 degrees BTDC) looking through the timing hole. Timing hole is located below the starter looking into the bell housing at the flywheel. After the crankshaft is in the proper location (be sure it was compression stroke) turn the distributor until the point just start to open. The tractor should fire up at that point and then you can time it with a timing light. Timing should be between 22 and 32 degrees depending on which distributor you have and whether high or standard altitude. Good luck and happy motoring.


Steven

 

[Jerry/MT]

I think the initial timing should be closer to 6°BTDC and the advance should take it 22-32°BTDC.

 

[EricG1793]

Thanks for the info, guys!

I realized last night that I do have the "Part 0" of the book, which gives specifications (as opposed to the missing Part I, Section B that gives the procedures). Now that I know the procedure and have the numbers, I should be able to get somewhere. Thanks again!

 

[Steven-Id]

Jerry, My bad the degrees I gave were at 2200 rpm which would be with the advance. I just didn"t note that. Thanks for the correction.


Steven