Is my timer worn out?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Is my timer worn out?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By JohnH on Sunday, October 14, 2012 - 06:34 pm:

After 23,000km (14,375 miles), I'm curious to know if this is a normal amount of wear for an Anderson timer. I bought it back in 2002 and have been very pleased with the performance.
My attention has been drawn to it because the ignition isn't quite what it used to be with occasional missing at lower speeds. I know it's the not the coils - having tested them with a CRO to see they're all firing at the same time as each other.
What is interesting is looking at how the contacts have worn, it appears uneven.
As I run the coils off battery, it's obvious that ignition timing is going to change as the contacts wear with an Anderson timer. A problem here is if timing varies from cylinder to cylinder.
If it wasn't for the cost I'd be installing a E-Timer.
timer1timer2timer3


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve McClelland on Sunday, October 14, 2012 - 08:09 pm:

John if your running it dry, you've done extremely well !
I run a NewDay I took my anderson off and hung it up... Most of them I've seen we're packed with appeared to be some kind of dielectric grease or petroleum jelly. Im pretty sure you don't run them dry...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By JohnH on Sunday, October 14, 2012 - 10:45 pm:

Steve, I cleaned it up for the photo, but normally have some grease on the flapper. Apart from that, the internals live with a light coating of oil supplied via the felt camshaft seal.
The New Day has its advantages re constant timing, but no longer seems to be available as a repro part.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, October 14, 2012 - 11:12 pm:

The New Day is available as a used item if you keep your eyes open and get lucky. The rotor is available as a reproduction item. Glen Chaffin told me the secret of using it is to ditch the brush that comes with it and install an old generator brush filed to fit.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve McClelland on Monday, October 15, 2012 - 02:26 am:

I'd say your timer has done pretty well, the ones I've seen John was completely packed with some kind of lube... As I stated I took my anderson off, I seem to have better luck with the New Day timer... my car just starts and runs better using the New Day we've put one on every T we've ever owned.
As Steve said above they are hard to come by now, I'd like to have a couple extra myself. Steve good tip on the brush I'll keep that in mind when I need one, should be an easy fix.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Monday, October 15, 2012 - 03:20 am:

Seems you got your value out of that one. Why not just get a new anco and grease it, run it, enjoy life?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Jablonski on Monday, October 15, 2012 - 12:56 pm:

Dress the contacts with a wire wheel, get a replacement flapper & enjoy your ride !


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William L Vanderburg on Monday, October 15, 2012 - 01:00 pm:

The flapper in mine was worn completely through. You could see daylight thru it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cameron Whitaker on Monday, October 15, 2012 - 01:04 pm:

I would say that some of the contacts look more worn than the others. If that's the case, then your timing could be way off. I suppose you could have it indexed, but in the end, I would say that it would be best just to get a new timer. The Anco timers are surprisingly inexpensive for what they are.

Now I do agree with both Steves. I removed my Anderson timer and installed a Crystal Timer (which is quite similar to a New Day) with a new aluminum ring. It seems to run much smoother, plus it looks cool!


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