Farm Equipment - Timing Allis B distributor

Timing Allis B distributor

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Topic: Timing Allis B distributor

Posted By: Scott in MA
Subject: Timing Allis B distributor
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 8:28am

I recently got a distributor for my B from a fellow fourm member, in my attempt to rule out/rule in mag problems as the issue behind the tractor's reluctance to start. The answer to my question is probably obvious, but ignition points were already a thing of the past by the first time I opened a car hood. Here are a few questions that I hope aren't too dumb.

Here's how I think I should install. My owner's manual covers mag timing, but not distributor timing. Find the compression stroke on piston no. 1. Watch for the "center" mark on the flywheel. Install distributor and rotate until points are just about to open. Hope that the rotor is now pointing to the piston no. 1 position. I can't find reference marks on the plastic cover over the points to tell me where the different distributor pickups are. Am I missing them, or should I make an semi-educated guess?

Should there be a condenser in there? My distributor doesn't have one. If one is needed, can I use one from a spare F-M mag.

Thanks again for the help. This forum has been very helpful.

Replies:

Posted By: Scott in MA
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 8:46am

I meant to write that I should use the "FIRE" mark on the flywheel, not the "center" mark for a distributor. Right?

Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 8:47am

Hope that the rotor is now pointing to the piston no. 1 position. I can't find reference marks on the plastic cover over the points to tell me where the different distributor pickups are. Am I missing them, or should I make an semi-educated guess?

Should there be a condenser in there? My distributor doesn't have one. If one is needed, can I use one from a spare F-M mag.

Last question. This distributor has a 12 volt coil, which makes me guess it came from a 12 volt negative ground tractor. My B is 6 volt positive ground. There is a stud on the outside of the distributor body. Does this attach to coil positive or negative? I sometimes have a hard time wrapping my head around positive ground.

Any position can be for number 1 plug as long as you have it on TDC compression stroke of number 1 cylinder and you know the firing order and direction of rotation of the distributor.
You won't have a spark without the condenser.
The coil will have to match your tractor. If tractor is positive ground, the positive side of the coil goes toward the distributor. If you have a 6 volt system, the 12 volt coil may not produce enough juice for a good spark.

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Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF

Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 8:51am

If you are timing with a light while the tractor is running, use the fire mark. If the engine is not running and on compression stroke of number 1, use center mark.

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Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF

Posted By: GregLawlerMinn
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 9:32am

CTucker Is right on.

1st, install a condenser in the distributer and the right coil for your electrical system. If you don't have a 6 volt coil, you can use the 12 volt coil and a 12 volt battery and the tractor will start and run just fine (altho the battery will not charge up with the 6 volt genny-you can charge the battery with a battery charger...a fully charged battery will last a long, long time). Install the battery; if you have a 6 volt Pos grd system, best to install the 12 volt battery as positive ground (the ammeter is wired for pos grd and will wwork backwards if battery is installed neg ground). Then install the 12 volt coil correctly (if battery is installed pos ground, wire from switch goes to the neg terminal on the coil and the wire from the coil to the distributer goes to the positive coil terminal...vice versa for the neg grd battery). Find TDC on #1 cylinder. I remove the #1 spark plug, place finger over the hole and turn the engine until feel compression, run a wire into #1 spark plug hole and turn engine until piston is at the top. Pull cover off the distributer and note where the rotator is pointing; that is where the plug wire for #1 cylinder goes intto the distributer cap. Firing order is 1-2-4-3 and the distributer rotates clockwise (looking down). Install the other 3 wires clockwise from #1 wire; 2, then 4, then 3. The tractor should now be ready to start. I "time" the engines be sound, loosen the distributer hold down bolts and with the engine running, rotate the distributer one direction until it starts to "load up", then rotate the other direction until it "loads up" again; half way between these two positions should be just fine.

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What this country needs is more unemployed politicians-and lawyers.
Currently have: 1 D14 and a D15S2.
With new owners: 2Bs,9CAs,1WD,2 D12s,5D14s,3D15S2s, 2D17SIVs,D17D,1D19D;1 Unstyled WC

Posted By: Bill Long
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 11:01am

Scott, Pay close attention to what is said above. They are well aware of what has to be done. Have to say - solid state ignition - you all have moved well beyond my knowledge on this job. However, the finger in the number one cyl still is my type of timing.

Remember, you are using a very basic unit. Not the sophisticated computer driven engines of today. That timing will get is running then the distributor can be rotated to finalize timing.

Take good care of my favorate. Glad to hear is it getting updated.

Good Luck!

Bill Long