Setting distributor timing

[Cecil12]

I have a 620 ford tractor 12v system redid the whole electrical system trying to set the timing.Some say when number 1 cylinder tdc the flywheel should be at 4 degrees and the rotor should be pointing towards the 1 cylinder direction or is it at the 6 o’clock position

 

[john in la]

When the number one cylinder is at 4 degrees before top dead center on the compression stroke the rotor should be pointing to the number one spark plug wire on the distributor cap.
6v 8v 12v one million volts has nothing to do with it.

 

[da.bees]

When the number one cylinder is at 4 degrees before top dead center on the compression stroke the rotor should be pointing to the number one spark plug wire on the distributor cap.
6v 8v 12v one million volts has nothing to do with it.

AND piston comes to tdc ( 4 degrees btdc) once when rotor points to number one spark plug wire and again when rotor is pointing 180 degrees from number one spark plug wire.

 

[Cecil12]

Thank you

 

[Dick L]

I have a 620 ford tractor 12v system redid the whole electrical system trying to set the timing.Some say when number 1 cylinder tdc the flywheel should be at 4 degrees and the rotor should be pointing towards the 1 cylinder direction or is it at the 6 o’clock position

I personally would have number one piston at top dead center with the points just ready to open and the rotor pointing at the number one wire. then let the mechanical advance below the points in the distributor take care of the 4 degrees advance when the engine is rotating.
.

 

[Cecil12]

Thanks for the input

 

[da.bees]

Thanks for the input

Hopefully it results in output.

 

[Cecil12]

Lmao

 

[Dick L]

Hopefully it results in output.

It has worked for me since the 1950]s it worked many times on my stock car and every other engine even on my pulling tractors.

 

[Cecil12]

It has worked for me since the 1950]s it worked many times on my stock car and every other engine even on my pulling tractors.
View attachment 167314View attachment 167315View attachment 167316

It has worked for me since the 1950]s it worked many times on my stock car and every other engine even on my pulling tractors.
View attachment 167314View attachment 167315View attachment 167316

Nice tractors

I’m going to ask this to see if it matters dad always said dumb question is one not asked so if I set my 1 cylinder to top dead center can I set my rotor pointing at 1 wire without having to have flywheel on the 4 degrees?

 

[Andy Wickiser]

I’m going to ask this to see if it matters dad always said dumb question is one not asked so if I set my 1 cylinder to top dead center can I set my rotor pointing at 1 wire without having to have flywheel on the 4 degrees?

Yes that should work, below is the full procedure from the Ford Service manual.

 

[Dick L]

I’m going to ask this to see if it matters dad always said dumb question is one not asked so if I set my 1 cylinder to top dead center can I set my rotor pointing at 1 wire without having to have flywheel on the 4 degrees?

That is the only way the cylinder is at TDC.
I never said that what was said above would not start and run.
When cold timing at TDC the points need to (just) be ready to open (that is the point of spark) Not close to open. clamp down the distributor just before they are ready to open by rotating the distributor back and forth.
Then when you start the engine and check with a timing light you will see your 4 degrees. No other way will be an exact time every time. You would most likely be as happy as a cat with a fresh bowl of milk on not having the Exact timing. If you have a timing light you can always adjust it to the exact 4 degrees. Even with this cold timing way I still always double checked with my timing light. In my mold building close cost me money
These low rpm engines run well when slightly off published advance.
My statement Was---------(I personally would) Not that won't work (you need to)

 

[560Dennis]

I use a vacuum gage , to set time on oldies .