timing

[col sanders]

I bought a 2n ford with front distributor every thing was missing on the front. coil,points, condencer, cap, solid plug wires, plugs. every time I put to gather, the roter sets between 1 and 2 termenals.looks like some one has had timing gear off is that possible? it has big nut on end

 

[Den N Ms]

Col Sanders,The real one?I couldn't resist lol.First thing would be take a compression test on all 4 cylinders.Watch the front see it the cam shaft is turning when engine is rolling over,then post back results.

 

[col sanders]

12volt system, 120 all 4 sylinders. plenty of gas,

 

[Den N Ms]

Explain, You say the rotor sets between 1 and 2 terminals Is the #1 piston at top dead center compression stroke,and the rotor is between #1 and #2?

 

[col sanders]

the distributor is turning perfect. the rotar stops half way between #1 and#2 when piston is top dead center that is why I think some one has moved the timing gear, is that possible? thanks gene.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 22:10:06 10/29/15) the distributor is turning perfect. the rotar stops half way between #1 and#2 when piston is top dead center that is why I think some one has moved the timing gear, is that possible? thanks gene.

hat is your method of knowing that #1 is at TDC?

 

[Den N Ms]

Yes it is possible that someone has put the cam in wrong out of time.But with that kind of compression its hard to believe.How do you know that you have it at #1 TDC.

 

[col sanders]

I put my finger over the plug hole till it pops that's when rotor stops between 1 and 2 tomorrow I will pull to make sure thanks gene

 

[col sanders]

I will pull head tomorrow gene

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 23:28:27 10/29/15) I will pull head tomorrow gene

ou know that it will freewheel/coast past the pop your thumb point. Not smart thing to do to pull head un-necessarily!

 

[JMOR]

It is entirely possible for the knowledgeable to determine correct cam to crank timing without head removal.

 

[Den N Ms]

I wouldn't pull the head just to find TDC.I hope you know that #1 cylinder is in front next to the radiator.To find TDC pull all 4 plugs,then get about a 10" piece of #9 wire and bend a curved L about a 1 3/4" inch long on the end.Roll the engine over by hand with the fan blade or crank if you have one clockwise looking from the front.Put your finger on the plug hole and feel for compression.When you feel it stop turning and fish the wire down the plug hole as far as you can toward the oil filter.Then turn the fan again and the engine should stop when the piston is almost to TDC.The wire needs to be between the piston and head on the Left oil filter side of the piston.

 

[NoNewParts]

can't say I've ever looked at the rotor position on a front mount.
I usually can't even see it because I put the distributor back on fully assembled after making it right on the bench.

Need to do some sleuthing first.
It's all here on this site.
Bruce(VA) has some very thorough posts on the front mount distributor testing on the bench.
googling the following words will answer your TDC question:
----TDC on the rock Hobo---
Bruce or JMOR can post you a nice pic of the distributor cap firing order.

check all that, with your compression, spark and fuel, it'll run.


and yes, it's always a good idea to make a TDC mark when you have an engine apart........but tear it apart just to make a mark?...not a chance

 

[Den N Ms]

Gene,I wouldn't pull the head!
Find TDC on #1 first with a with a bent #9 wire bent Z first.Then check the rotor position and see if it is still off.
If I pulled anything it would be the front timing cover to check the timing gear marks.With that kind of compression and the rotor at the location you say it is the camshaft could be maybe 3 or 4 teeth advanced.

 

[JMOR]

I went back & re-read this thread from the start & it now appears that this is an academic discussion vs a problem solving discussion, since nowhere do I see anything concerning no start/no run & furthermore no establishment of TDC with any certainty, not to mention the unlikely 120# on all four of cam is off by as much as speculated, which would have valve opening/closings occurring with pistons 1/4 th to 1/3 rd of their travel from where such events should occur. If upon trying to start, ther is flame belching out the carb or exhaust, then re-visit such timing issues.