Anderson style timer question

[classicnvintage1]

Thanks to those who responded at the w/e when I was trying to identify the source of a misfire. I've now found the cause. The flapper on my Anderson style timer wasn't flapping! So, just out of contact on two cylinders. It's free now - if I slacken off the retaining nut a smidge, I guess it had tightened up of it's own accord. If I tighten to what I might call "hand-tight" the compression stops the flapper moving. Any advice welcome.


Len

[speedytinc]

The originals had a special formed retaining washer to clear the hinge. The stock, Ford washer dont quite work.
A little filing to get the hinge clearance may be needed.

[Mark Gregush]

If you click on the photo and look close, you can see the cutout on the backside. The bump on the front edge was to go over the rivet/pin head and hold the cap in place. You can get by without the bump out, but need the cutout to allow the flapper to function. https://www.modeltford.com/item/3221ANCO.aspx

[DanTreace]

What Mark described.

The Anderson flapper must use the Anderson washer, it has a cut-away to allow the flapper to move its full travel. And has a bump out for the retaining rivet. When installing, be sure to check the placement of that washer, if any interference in operation, find the cause and fix it. The nut should be able to be fully secured like any cam nuts.

Things to check may be the flapper is hitting the front cover or oil seal or cam end (shims are provided) , perhaps too the retaining washer needs some trimming or anything you can find in a good inspection. The flapper should be free to float up and down, crank over by hand and check around the perimeter too if needed, to be sure of rotational freedom of movement.

IMG_7115 (500x375).jpg (89.06 KiB) Viewed 3956 times

[TWrenn]

Reminds me of why I absolutely love my TW timer.
All I do is keep it clean (at every oil change) and a new brush occasionally. They run smooth as silk.

[speedytinc]

Reminds me of why I absolutely love my TW timer.
All I do is keep it clean (at every oil change) and a new brush occasionally. They run smooth as silk.

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a TW timer?

[ewdysar]

Reminds me of why I absolutely love my TW timer.
All I do is keep it clean (at every oil change) and a new brush occasionally. They run smooth as silk.

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a TW timer?

In some cases, google is our friend:

https://www.twracing.com/untitled

Eric

[speedytinc]

Reminds me of why I absolutely love my TW timer.
All I do is keep it clean (at every oil change) and a new brush occasionally. They run smooth as silk.

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a TW timer?

In some cases, google is our friend:

https://www.twracing.com/untitled

Eric

thanks. dosent show timer contacts. Its a roller timer with a carbon brush.

[TWrenn]

John...I guess you could describe it as that. Except its a whole LOT better and smoother running than a roller timer. Certainly no timer is 100% perfect, but this one is about as close as it gets. Even the revered New Day doesn't stack up since its brush seems to "slant" in its rotor causing it to run rough. Don't ask me how I know as they say!

[A Whiteman]

Funny that, I had problems with my Anderson type timer similar to those you describe - only running on 2 at any speed higher than idle. It turns out the flapper had bent a little more than it should. I found a 'good' roller timer in my spares and installed it - the car runs nicely - better than before.

That said, the Anderson in my TT runs 'sweet as' with no problems.

Maybe it is repo manufacturing variances?

[speedytinc]

John...I guess you could describe it as that. Except its a whole LOT better and smoother running than a roller timer. Certainly no timer is 100% perfect, but this one is about as close as it gets. Even the revered New Day doesn't stack up since its brush seems to "slant" in its rotor causing it to run rough. Don't ask me how I know as they say!

It would be nice to see the timer body inside to view the contacts& how it might differ from a stock or original unit. The ad link only shows the outside.

I currently run a new day. I custom cut a carbon brush to replace that nasty, loose brass brush. The new brush dosent seem to have the shifting problems & is easy to replace. Dosnt tear up the timer contacts. Always open to a better way/product. Thanks.

[Andy Loso]

My understanding is the TW is no longer being produced.

[Farmer J]

I agree with Tim that the TW timer is an excellent timer. However you need to watch that overtime the softer plastic between the contacts can wear down and that will leave a sharp edge on the metal contacts. When you clean your time or if you can feel that sharp edge you need to have the inside of the timer remachined so it is smooth. If you don’t do this, that sharp edge will shave off your brush in no time

[TWrenn]

Andy & Farmer you're both correct. Hopefully Tony will re-start production or someone else will pick it up. So far re the plastic insert wear, I haven't had to do much more than a very light sanding in that edge in over several thousand miles. So far, so good. Fingers crossed of course. If this timer stays out of production hopefully the New Day people will get that "brush angle issue" resolved.

[Farmer J]

Tim, I believe that Tony still has brushes available for his timer. And I have a fixture that I can easily renew the contact surface.

[TWrenn]

Jerry, yep you're right about the brushes. Thankfully they're still in production. I have two more on the way "just because"!!