How Far Should Timer Rotate?

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mortier
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How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by mortier » Sat Sep 27, 2025 3:12 pm

My New Day Time doesn't seem to rotate far enough when using the spark lever. It only goes maybe 10-degrees (say from 12:00 to 1:00). Should it rotate the entire distance the spark lever does?


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speedytinc
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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by speedytinc » Sat Sep 27, 2025 3:40 pm

No.
Spark lever@ the column connection is around .75" . Timer leverage is around 2". thats a 3x movement loss by design.
Make sure there is no movement loss in the lever connection to the rod. (tightly pinned).
Secondly original new day timers have an extra large linkage hole. A hobby tubing bushing will tighten that up.
Otherwise its normal.
Check your timing. Going from a roller timer to a new day changes the timing position. Timer rod needs new bends.

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Mark Gregush
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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by Mark Gregush » Sat Sep 27, 2025 3:43 pm

You have it routed in the correct location but might be hitting the water pipe. Maybe reshape it and reset the timing as needed.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

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mortier
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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by mortier » Sat Sep 27, 2025 4:21 pm

I think bending the control rod would get me a little more advance. However, there is only about 5/16" before the timer/rod connector rubs the fan belt.


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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by speedytinc » Sat Sep 27, 2025 4:29 pm

Dont worry about advance. You will have plenty if you have the correct retard starting position.
At least, thats been my experience. I run a new day & have enough travel to overadvance with the spark lever all the way down.
Initial timing setting was way off & needed obvious correcting..

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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by Mark Nunn » Sat Sep 27, 2025 5:00 pm

Your timer rod is hitting the pitman arm and has worn the paint off. Curve the end of the rod to clear the pitman arm. You may get more travel in your timer.

I had a similar situation and found that the lever that the rod connects to was not drilled correctly. I reversed the lever and gained a lot more movement. That should not have worked but it did.

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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by varmint » Sat Sep 27, 2025 5:54 pm

It looks like the linkage rod is scraping on the splash shield too.
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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by Ron Patterson » Sat Sep 27, 2025 6:33 pm

I cannot see why, but your timer is no rotating enough.
Perhaps the attached article will explain how it should work.
Ron Patterson
Attachments
Model T Ignition System-Final Article.pdf
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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by Ron Patterson » Sat Sep 27, 2025 6:36 pm

Pay close attention to figure 7 & 8 for correct range of motion.


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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by mortier » Sun Sep 28, 2025 5:02 pm

Yes, it wasn't rotating enough. I drove today, had a boil-over and lost half the coolant. Luckily, a farmer came out with a bucket of water and a funnel. One of our mechanically-minded drivers bent my spark rod up with a pair of pliers allowing much more movement. The power increased quite a bit.


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Re: How Far Should Timer Rotate?

Post by Mike Silbert » Tue Sep 30, 2025 8:08 am

Mike Kosser wrote a simple procedure to verify the timer moves far enough between full retard and full advance.
Basically the timer needs to move at least 0.91" to get full range and best performance on any timer you use.
I stole them and have posted them here.
Screenshot 2025-09-30 080419.jpg
Screenshot 2025-09-30 080630.jpg

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