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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Basic Tuneup on a '36?

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Basic Tuneup on a '36? -- page: 1 2     Flatbob 04-20-2010 @ 5:18 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 437 Joined: Oct 2009 How do I find TDC on number one cylinder, there is no timing mark or indicator on my '36 distributor? My engine is running rough, more so at low speeds than high and in general lacks power. The carb. has been rebuilt & float level set 1/4" from top of casing with no gasket. The distributor was set up & "dialed in" by old time flathead expert & ran very nicely until recently. I have an overcharging condition that I will correct by adjusting brushes, could the overcharge condition have damaged points & condenser? How do I adjust timing on this early distributor; it appears to be more challenging than a "post hole type." ford38v8 04-20-2010 @ 7:04 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2769 Joined: Oct 2009 Flatbob, I think you should tackle one problem at a time. Your distributor is not involved with the battery/generator/cutout problem, and is likely not out of time in any case. Once you get your electrical system back in line, your distributor will show you what it's made of. Alan Flatbob 04-20-2010 @ 7:44 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 437 Joined: Oct 2009 Alan, I agree, but eventually I'm going to have to know how to do a tuneup, replace points & set timing. Tomorrow I'll adjust brushes & see how it runs. Thanks, Bob TomO 04-21-2010 @ 7:48 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7257 Joined: Oct 2009 Flatbob, The distributor is timed by adjusting the break time of the points. This can be done on a timing fixture, but is not recommended. The current supply of replacement points lack the quality of the points that were available in the last century. The spring tension is not up to specifications and the springs do not hold their tension. Your best bet is to have the distributor serviced by having the points set on a distributor machine, by a qualified person. Make sure that the person will stand behind his work. Tom This message was edited by TomO on 4-21-10 @ 7:49 AM supereal 04-21-2010 @ 10:14 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 Timing is seldom a problem with pre-'49 flatheads, as it is preset with the drive system, leaving only a small adjustment with the slide plate on the distributor. Rough low speed performance and lack of power is often due to a poor or open condenser. You may also have one or more fouled spark plugs and/or leaking plug wires. If you remove the distributor caps, carefully inspect both the inner and outer caps for hairline cracks that form carbon paths. Since the car ran well until recently, it is likely one or more of the above is the cause. Flatbob 04-21-2010 @ 4:41 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 437 Joined: Oct 2009 Super, you hit the head on the nail; tried a cpl. of different things & then put in a new condenser and now runs smoothly & with more power. Still, I have low compression & vacuum readings. This was my first rebuild, although I was careful to offset the ring gaps I'm thinking I may have installed a few of the rings upside down on various pistons. It is what it is & will have to live with it! Thanks everyone for the help. supereal 04-22-2010 @ 7:39 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 Compression may improve as the rings seat. Rings installed upside down usually don't affect compression, but do allow more oil to pass. I wouldn't worry about it. You can do a check for low vacuum with a gauge and a chart. I've attached a chart here. Flatbob 04-22-2010 @ 9:55 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 437 Joined: Oct 2009 Super, already have your chart from earlier post. Thanks for the encouraging remarks in regards to the rings seating. Thanks supereal 04-22-2010 @ 2:18 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 You are welcome. Better to have two charts than none. Many of us "over the hill" guys need more than one in the hope we can find it when we need it! TomO 04-23-2010 @ 6:31 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7257 Joined: Oct 2009 Super, that's why we have computers. When all we had were paper copies, we could have hundreds of them and never find one, now with the computer, we still have many copies and sometimes the search facility will find one. Tom

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