Use of Timing Light on Golden Jubilee

[HanknotFrank]

Thanks for all the suggestions for my gear shifting problems. This question concerns the use of a timing light. This may sound dumb but are the marks for timing that show up on a timing light already on an old tractor? I have a basic understanding of how it works but need to know if I put the marks on with a special marker of are they factory installed? Thanks.

 

[John0829]

The marks are on the flywheel, there is a small hole on the right side of the block some have a kind of pointer in it some only have a mark. I have seen them with a sliding cover over the hole held by a single pivot bolt. You will have to turn the engine over by hand to find and clean the marks on the flywheel. Here is a pic from the manual for an 800 tractor, the NAA is the same. I don't remember what the NAA times at but I believe it is 8 BTC.

 

[HanknotFrank]

8 BTC rings a bell. I see the marks and I have seen them on my flywheel but I still don't quite understand how the one at 8 BTC is highlighted by the timing light. Thanks.

 

[John0829]

Timing 101: Connect your timing light to the number one spark plug wire, they usually clamp around the wire and have two leads that connect to the battery for power. Assuming this has been converted to 12V, if it is still 6V then you will need a light that powered by AC or even an old style non-powered that connects between the spark plug and distributor.

Before starting find the timing mark you want to use, in this case 8 BTC, clean and mark it with a bit of paint on it and the stationary mark. I use white or yellow, to make it easier to see. With the engine at operating temp and idling @450 RPM point the timing light at the opening. The light, most have a button to push to make it flash, press the button while pointing the light at the marks and the strobing of the light will make the marks appear to be stationary. Loosen the hold down bolt at the base of the distributor a tiny bit so the distributor can be rotated by hand and GENTLY turn the distributor left or right to bring the stationary mark in the hole and the desired mark on the flywheel in line with each other. When marks are aligned, retighten the hold down bolt of the distributor and recheck timing to be sure it did no move.

NOTE: look as straight on to the marks as possible, looking at the marks at an angle WILL change your perspective of the alignment and cause the timing to be off by a few of degrees.

 

[Dman1981]

Guess I must be old never used

 

[workinonit]

You have that backwards. You would have to be really young or never, ever worked on a 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s car to have missed out on a timing light.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve got a dwell meter and timing light in my tool box but it’s been a few years since they were used. Do you need to set the dwell on that tractor first?

 

[HanknotFrank]

Timing 101: Connect your timing light to the number one spark plug wire, they usually clamp around the wire and have two leads that connect to the battery for power. Assuming this has been converted to 12V, if it is still 6V then you will need a light that powered by AC or even an old style non-powered that connects between the spark plug and distributor.

Before starting find the timing mark you want to use, in this case 8 BTC, clean and mark it with a bit of paint on it and the stationary mark. I use white or yellow, to make it easier to see. With the engine at operating temp and idling @450 RPM point the timing light at the opening. The light, most have a button to push to make it flash, press the button while pointing the light at the marks and the strobing of the light will make the marks appear to be stationary. Loosen the hold down bolt at the base of the distributor a tiny bit so the distributor can be rotated by hand and GENTLY turn the distributor left or right to bring the stationary mark in the hole and the desired mark on the flywheel in line with each other. When marks are aligned, retighten the hold down bolt of the distributor and recheck timing to be sure it did no move.

NOTE: look as straight on to the marks as possible, looking at the marks at an angle WILL change your perspective of the alignment and cause the timing to be off by a few of degrees.

Thank you for your response. I knew everything you mentioned except for marking with white or yellow paint. That is what I tried to specifically ask but you were the one one to mention that part. Thanks.

 

[number two]

I've got my distributor cam lube next to the dwell meter.
Timing light and screw starters are in the tool chest.
Try connecting the pickup to the coil wire for more flashes on the timing marks.
Fun thread!

 

[workinonit]

White fingernail polish is good for marking timing marks.