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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / timing '39 deluxe

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Discussion Topic: timing '39 deluxe

oldfordman

02-19-2020 @ 10:01 AM

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Hi, need help [whats new!] my 39 has a 46-48 distributor and I need to set the timing. can you do that from the screw that sets on top of distributor? It has a lock nut on it. Or is that for something else entirely?
Thanks
Don

cliftford

02-19-2020 @ 4:11 PM

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It takes a little time to explain the whole timing process. Maybe someone with better typing skills will chime in.

pauls39coupe

02-19-2020 @ 5:23 PM

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The bolt head with a lock nut is your vacuum brake. It prevents the centrifical advance from going too far and causing spark knock. You can adjust this by backing the bolt out till the engine "pings" under load, then gradually turning it back in till the spark knock stops. Lots of trial and error.
The timing is set by loosening the bolt head on the side of the distributor with the little scale plate under it. The points must first be gapped correctly. The timing is then set on a strobe machine (Sun, Allen, Heyer, etc.), or a KRW style fixture. Not something to do without the proper equipment.
Rough and dirty, set the points, then move the pointer (scale to the mid point). This will get you home till proper adjustment can be made.
Skip Haney in Punta Gorda Florida does rebuilds as do others on this site. I am sure they will chime in.

TomO

02-20-2020 @ 8:38 AM

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The timing is set by when the "break" set of points open. The screw on the side was meant to be used for changes in fuel octane.

There is no timing mark on the Ford engines with the distributor mounted on the front end of the camshaft, so to get correct timing a distributor machine should be used.

That said, you can get very close to the correct timing by using a dwell meter. Connect the dwell meter to the primary connection on the distributor, block the passenger side points with a piece of paper. Crank the engine with the starter and check that the points give you 22.5 degrees of dwell. When you have that, remove the paper and check for a total of 34-36 degrees of dwell. This setting should be made with the timing screw set to 0 degrees and the vacuum brake backed off.

Here is a link to using rulers to time the distributor:

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_engines_distr-timing.htm

Tom

oldfordman

02-21-2020 @ 7:23 AM

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Thanks to all who replied. Maybe with your help, I can get this '39 running better.
Thank you,
Don

TomO

02-21-2020 @ 8:31 AM

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Why don't you describe your symptoms, maybe a solution can be found for your problem.

Ignition timing is seldom a problem on the dual point distributors, unless someone installed the points without having the distributor set up on distributor machine.

Tom

37RAGTOPMAN

02-21-2020 @ 8:54 AM

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HI
start off with a compression test, SEE if all the cylinders are all the same,
if compression is off it will Never RUN SMOOTH
how long has it been since its was tuned up ?
how is the gas in it ?
when it is running, use a windex type container and lightly spray water the IGNITION WIRE see IF ENGINE stumbles,
more INFORMATION is needed,
hope this helps 1937RAGTOPMAN

This message was edited by 37RAGTOPMAN on 2-21-20 @ 12:01 PM

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