setting timing

chevy1946 · Aug 2, 2018

1948 to 50 wd gas can you set timing by manifold vacuum? Flywheel marks don't line up at tdc with #1 piston. Marks on flywheel are not there. Any help appreciated.

old · Aug 2, 2018

One like that can be easily set by ear. You want to fire it up and then go for max RPM and easy start. If the starter has trouble spinning it over back off the timing a tad bit and you should be good to go. I've done timing that way for decades and you want max RPM easy start and the most power you can get

chevy1946 · Aug 2, 2018

thank you, so set it at max throttle and adjust it to smooth running tighten and check it on restart?

David G · Aug 2, 2018

You may get a little lope on idle if you time that way, if so, just back off a little.

ErnieD · Aug 2, 2018

Has the engine been apart? Perhaps the cam is not properly aligned/in time with the crank.
Old gave you good advice for timing by ear.

If it was mine I would figure out why the marks do not coincide with TDC.

guido · Aug 2, 2018

Hello chevy1946,

Yes you can!Here is how: Loosen then distributor hold down just enough so you can turn it.
hook up your vacuum gauge first, then set the engine speed @1000 R.P.M.'S .
While moving the distributor, advance the timing until you get MAXIMUM vacuum,
then back of a little so you lose a little vacuum. This will set the engine for
max h.p. If it pings you can back off a little on the timing. If you want max
economy, turn the distributor when the vacuum reading is almost to the minimum.
1/2 way between the two vacuum reading is the happy medium.Set the engine back to idle.Also adjust the carburetor after you set the timing. Let me know how you
make out,

Guido.

Jon Hagen · Aug 2, 2018

If the flywheel can be installed wrong on the crankshaft, either 90 or 180 degrees out of time with the crank, try the timing light on the other 3 cylinders to see if you can get the marks to appear, then just use that cylinder for timing.

old · Aug 2, 2018

Does not matter where you set the throttle. I do it at about mid way throttle and then time it so you get max RPM and easy start. If the starter sort of kicks back or it turns over hard back the timing off a little bit.

Bob · Aug 2, 2018

IF the flywheel REALLY isn't marked (HIGHLY unlikely) it's not rocket surgery to locate TDC and make a mark, and lay out and make advanced timing mark(s) as well.

Even if you choose to time it "by ear" it's still nice to be able to verify what the actual timing is.

Texasmark1 · Aug 3, 2018

I never had a problem rotating the distributor CW till you get an obvious engine degradation, CCW till you get it again, and setting in the middle. Since
tractors aren't hot rods, you really aren't interested in how far it's advanced from TDC, just where it likes to run.

L.Fure · Aug 3, 2018

(quoted from post at 23:37:20 08/02/18) 1948 to 50 wd gas can you set timing by manifold vacuum? Flywheel marks don't line up at tdc with #1 piston. Marks on flywheel are not there. Any help appreciated.

Are you looking for the timing marks when number one piston is on the compression stroke? If you're not, you will be 180 degrees off of the mark. I'm not a big fan of timing by ear. I've checked the timing of engines that were timed by ear, and found that every one of them were way off the mark. After I timed them by using the timing marks on the flywheel, or crankshaft pulley, the engines ran much better.

setting timing

chevy1946

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old

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