Timing problem

[Pre1]

I bought a 52 sidemount non-running 8n. It had a loose oil pickup tube. I repaired it. Compression on all cylinders is over 90. It is 12 volt. I changed the points and have good spark at all plugs. I rebuilt the carb. Tried to start and the timing appears to be way off. Indications are the distributor has been removed and just put back in. I have tried to time it by the book but i'm not doing something right.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Phil

 

[JMOR]

More detail than "it appears to be way off" would be helpful. Does it shoot fire out the exhaust/ back thru intake, try to run, do nothing, try to run backwards??
For starters, since it appears that it has never run for you personally, and you have gone thru the timing procedure, I would check the firing order. 1243 front to back and the distributor rotates CCW.

 

[Dell (WA)]

Phil........the I&T FO-4 has an excellent section on how to static time the 5-nipple sidemount distributor with a testlite.

Set yer flywheel timing mark under teardrop cover to 4deg BTDC (use a crank/wrench on frontpulley NUT) and start twisting yer bolt loose sidemount distributor body CW (clock-wize) until testlite LITES. When LITE-ON, points are OPEN and theres yer static time. RETIGHTEN distributor bolt. Simple, eh?...........Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister

 

[old]

Get #1 cylinder up to TDC, then pull the cap off and look where the rotor points. It should point to the same nipple as the #1 plug wire goes to. If it doesn't move the wires as needed to get it there. Be sure to remember the fireing order which is 1,2,4,3 if memeory serves right
Hobby farm

 

[ZANE]

Distributor timing side mount

Remove the spark plug from the number one (front) spark plug. Turn the engine over with a finger in the spark plug hole and the ignition switch in the off position until you feel the compression begin to push your finger off the hole. Finish turning the engine over buy hand with the fan or by placing in fourth gear and moving the tractor slowly forward by pushing on the rear wheel until the #1 piston is at top dead center of the compression stroke.

Install the distributor into the hole and turn the distributor shaft until the rotor is pointing to the #1 mark on the distributor cap. If the cap has no #1 then just point the rotor to any position on the cap to one of the plug wire holes.

Turn the distributor slightly until the points just open and then back a couple degrees in the opposite direction of rotation for the rotor. Direction of rotation for the NAA and up is clockwise.

Install the wires into the cap in the direction of rotation of the rotor when the engine is running which is counterclockwise and in the firing order for the engine to the appropriate spark plug in firing order.. 8N firing order is 1243

After the engine is running you can turn the distributor right or left until it sounds best. Not labored or skipping. If it pings when under a load then turn the distributor in the opposite direction of the rotation of the rotor. Or if it seems to try to kick back against the starter do the same. The best place is just adjust to the point that it pings and then back the other way until it doesn’t ping under heavy load.

Never mind the timing marks.

Zane

 

[Drmeatman]

It seems to be well covered already but let me add as I was taught.Remove no.1 plug,with the switch off bump the starter till compresson will push your big finger off the plug hole.Remove the distributor and place no1 nipple pointing to no.1 plug hole and replace.Replace the plug,wire,and distributor bolt but leave the bolt loose.Now crank the engine.Now you might have to move the distributor (slightly) side to side to get a smooth timing.Worked well for me.

 

[JMOR]

"If it pings when under a load then turn the distributor in the opposite direction of the rotation of the rotor. Or if it seems to try to kick back against the starter do the same."

Is that what you meant for your fingers to type?

 

[ZANE]

Thanks for bringing that error out to me!!!!

Actually it is just the opposite and I know you already know that! :O)

Zane

 

[Pre1]

Thanks for all your help. I got the engine to run for about 10 seconds and then could not start it again. There must be something wring in the distributor that I will explore next.

Thanks again for this forum.

Phil

 

[Hobo,NC]

You know yer losing points fast,,, You taint started celebrating the new year early have ya,,, He he.