1953 Flathead Timing Help

[53Cranbrook]

Hey here is my new issue. I have a 53 Hydrive Cranbrook that I cant get started. I have the motor at TDC and thr rotor button isnt pointing to 7 oclock, it is at 6 and 12 oclock which would be 180 out. how do I get it lined up to drop in at 7 oclock on the distributor ? Any help would GREATLY be appreciated !

[Plymouthy Adams]

it does not necessarily need to be at 7 if you can confirm the #1 tower is correct for the timing and that the firing order is correct...however..indexing to 7 o'clock is done by indexing the oil pump correctly

[greg g]

Are you certain Number one is at TDC compression stroke???  If its TDC Exhaust you shouldn't be trying to static time if there.

[_shel_ny]

As Plymouthy said, does not need to point at 7. That is evidenced by the fact that the engine starts and runs. Just a maintenance convenience. Common reference point for subsequent maintenance/owners.

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it rule of thumb applies, but if you must. Some must

 

Again as Plymouthy said, indexed with the oil pump.

 

Pics and text.

 

Static timing and road timing procedures in Tech Tips:

 

http://p15-d24.com/page/p15d24/tech/tech_tips.html#static

[Don Coatney]

Shel, you should post this information in the reference/downloads section of this webpage.

[_shel_ny]

Shel, you should post this information in the reference/downloads section of this webpage.

And who would go there to read it

 

EDIT: It is likely in everyone's manual.

Edited July 6, 2013 by shel_bizzy_48

[Don Coatney]

And who would go there to read it

 

 

Good point. Many would rather ask the questions first and go to the book later.

[53Cranbrook]

I have the book and the books all say 7 oclock is #1 at TDC. Well im at TDC and the rotor is pointing straight down. I already made sure the timing gears are lined up and I had the head off to make sure nothing was stuck. When I flip the dist. 180 degrees it points to noon. Can I move the #1 plug to the terminal at 6 oclock on the dist. and run the firing order clockwise from there ?

Edited July 7, 2013 by 53Cranbrook

[Plymouthy Adams]

I confirmed that in my thread....index it or set the #1 on the corresponding tower in proper firing sequence and rotational direction..........this in not difficult either method you choose

[53Cranbrook]

I appreciate the help, i will get under the hood in the morning and let you know how it turns out

[Don Coatney]

 I already made sure the timing gears are lined up

 

How did you do this. Remove the oil pump and re-set it?

[UKPlymouth]

I had the exact same problem after a rebuild on my '48 P15.  After a lot of messing about I took the oil pump out and indexed it properly - it was one tooth out.  Car started first time.  Try the work arounds but my advice is get the pump right.

[53Cranbrook]

No, I never pulled the pump yet. I had the timing chain cover off and lined evrything up. But never once thought about the oil pump. Weather is going to be nice tomorrow so I will pull it and advance it a tooth and see what happens. Thanks for the info and I will let you know what it does

[roscoered]

What is the firing order for the flathead 6?

Thanks

Roscoered

[Desotodav]

1 5 3 6 2 4

Should be stamped on the head...

[_shel_ny]

and distributor rotor rotation is clockwise as viewed from above

Edited July 28, 2013 by shel_bizzy_48

[53Cranbrook]

i got it to backfire through the carb so im thinking I have the dist. timing off. i fouled the plugs so i will be cleaning those up today. can a weak coil cause the backfiring ?

[Don Coatney]

With the number 1 cylinder at top dead center on the compression stroke is the distributor rotor pointing to the number one spark plug wire in the distributor cap?

[_shel_ny]

link, and scroll down for static ignition timing:

 

 

 

http://p15-d24.com/page/p15d24/tech/tech_tips.html#hard2

[53Cranbrook]

I pulled the oil pump and indexed it and at TDC the #1 plug is at 7 oclock on the distributor.

[53Cranbrook]

link, and scroll down for static ignition timing:

 

 

 

http://p15-d24.com/page/p15d24/tech/tech_tips.html#hard2

Thanks for that page ! I will try that tomorrow and see what I can get it to do

[_shel_ny]

As Don said, make sure you are on the compression stroke.

 

I put my oil pump back in, and was sure I was at TDC compression, but the distributor tang must have been slightly off, rode on the oil pump, and dropped in 180 out.

 

Once I had the piston on what I thought was the compression stroke, I put a piece of masking tape over the plug hole, and turned the engine with the fan. When the tape blew off I knew it was on compression. Masking tape is a substitute for a thumb when you don't have an extra hand.

 

 

 

In line spark tester will tell you that you have spark.

[Niel Hoback]

  Cool, a ping pong ball will do the as well.

[MickO]

Thanks for the info and to Shelney, Don et al for posting the information. It just shows valuable these posts are and how grateful guys like me are for people sharing their knowledge. I had similar problems on my Chrysler Kew 2.7 (Plymouth PE Deluxe) after some engine work. I thought i had all the marks lined up, oil pump, crank pulley, rotor cap etc. But after getting her going i could not get the timing back to near the 6 or 8 degrees mark as i ran out of adjustment counter clockwise. I took the oil pump out again and reset the indexing as per Shelneys post. Took a little fiddling to get the Dizzy & rotor reseated but got it eventually and managed to get the timing adjustment back. Can anyone advise as to what is the correct timing at idle (tickover) using a timing light for these motors. I used the vacuum gauge on the carb and the needle sits in the middle of the green range so the carb seems pretty good. 

Edited July 5, 2019 by MickO

[Dartgame]

Timing without vacuum advance should be 0 degrees per manual, but I run mine at about 7 degree before TDC, and it runs well.