TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
J1MGOLDEN
Posts: 944
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:39 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Golden
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Roadster
Location: Bowie, MD
MTFCA Number: 14294
MTFCI Number: 13562

TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Tue Oct 22, 2019 11:53 am

I have been helping friends with Model T electrical problems for about 40 years now.

I have helped a dozen or so with TrueFire ignition problems and most were simple to understand and repair.

Two of my friends have had the Timer Rotor do a melt down, due to the engine overheating, in this hotter than usual summer.

A few years ago, I built a test set to test the TrueFire parts and in each case the main component coil box tested OK.

The related melt down Timer cases have not been tested and still may be OK.

The problem is finding a source for the Timer Rotor, as no dealer seems to have any rotors and/or (or timer cases).

Does anyone know of a source?

User avatar

CudaMan
Posts: 2383
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Strange
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
Location: Hillsboro, MO
MTFCA Number: 30944
MTFCI Number: 23667
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by CudaMan » Tue Oct 22, 2019 1:51 pm

Do you mean the plastic piece with the two magnets that fits on the end of the camshaft? What is the failure mode, does the plastic split, or do the magnets come loose?
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)


Topic author
J1MGOLDEN
Posts: 944
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:39 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Golden
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Roadster
Location: Bowie, MD
MTFCA Number: 14294
MTFCI Number: 13562

Re: TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Tue Oct 22, 2019 2:31 pm

Yes, that plastic piece with the magnets is required.

The magnets hold their strength forever!

The magnets shift to make things worse.

The plastic does a melt down.


Les Schubert
Posts: 1311
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Schubert
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
Location: Calgary

Re: TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by Les Schubert » Tue Oct 22, 2019 4:00 pm

I guess I have been lucky having run one since 2001 on my ‘13. I have a spare unit and just examined the rotor and I can now understand the risk. I have been thinking about some solutions. The easy one would just be to make some new plastic ones. Does anyone know exactly what type of plastic they were made of?
I will guess perhaps nylon or similar
Perhaps Teflon would be a okay choice as it is very solvent and temperature stable?
If I could get orders for at least 10 pieces I would consider doing a run??


Wayne Mims
Posts: 129
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2019 11:49 am
First Name: Ervin
Last Name: Mims
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 12 rdstr 13 tor 14 tor 15 pickup 22 drs coupe 21 center door
Location: Las Vegas
MTFCA Number: 29375

Re: TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by Wayne Mims » Tue Oct 22, 2019 7:55 pm

I have to True fire systems and they are both filled I would love to find somebody that could repair them my plastic pieces are okay mine both failed after they started doing backfiring I had one in my Center door and the thing has never ran so good until it quit and it quit too days after the Bellagio casino shooting I just passed the boss Blasio going down the strip and the thing started backfiring and people were hitting the ground I had to get off the strip and take it apart true story

User avatar

CudaMan
Posts: 2383
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Strange
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
Location: Hillsboro, MO
MTFCA Number: 30944
MTFCI Number: 23667
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by CudaMan » Wed Oct 23, 2019 11:01 am

Jim, I sent you a couple of PMs, please read them and reply if interested. :)
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)


Erik Johnson
Posts: 850
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
First Name: Erik
Last Name: Johnson
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Re: TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by Erik Johnson » Wed Oct 23, 2019 11:26 am

If someone is going to produce new rotors, why not machine them out of brass or aluminum?

How many magnets are there? One, two or four? If there are only one or two magnets, the rotor wouldn't need to be circular. For example, if there are two magnets, it could be a "bow-tie" rotor.

Just thinking out loud - not an expert and I have only seen fuzzy pictures on the forum of a TrueFire rotor.


Les Schubert
Posts: 1311
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Schubert
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
Location: Calgary

Re: TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by Les Schubert » Wed Oct 23, 2019 12:32 pm

Eric
1. Round objects are typically easier to make
2. The magnets are a press fit, so a plastic is MUCH “friendlier” than brass or aluminum without totally changing the design


Topic author
J1MGOLDEN
Posts: 944
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:39 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Golden
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Roadster
Location: Bowie, MD
MTFCA Number: 14294
MTFCI Number: 13562

Re: TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Wed Oct 23, 2019 1:08 pm

The most difficult part is finding those magnets.

They are and remain very strong.

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4956
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: TrueFire Timer Rotor Part Source

Post by Mark Gregush » Wed Oct 23, 2019 9:05 pm

Did you get my message?
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic