New brush style timer

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: New brush style timer
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Val Soupios on Saturday, February 01, 2014 - 04:03 pm:

I just put on the new timer that uses a brush instead of a roller. Apart from the fact that it was very difficult to get the timer on over the brush, I am finding that it almost seems like it is binding when you advance and retard the spark and the "sweet spot" seems to be different every time I run the car. Has anyone else had this problem?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Saturday, February 01, 2014 - 07:13 pm:

Have you contacted Tony and asked about it? Seems like that would be best course of action before you publicly trash it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Wrenn on Saturday, February 01, 2014 - 07:39 pm:

Val, if you're talking about the timer from TW Components, I put one on my '15 and for the short while I was able to use it prior to pulling the engine for a rebuild, it worked great. I put it on and off a couple of times and got the hang of using a thin, metal 6" ruler to keep the brush in place while slipping the timer cover on. Even with the radiator in place. I suspect something else is causing your spark lever to bind. Is it clearing the water inlet hose? Do you maybe have the spring arm on too tight? Just some thoughts. Not an expert here!

And Jack had good advice too. Tony's a knowledgeable guy. Call him


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Val Soupios on Saturday, February 01, 2014 - 08:11 pm:

I am not trashing anyone's product. I was hoping to get some input so that I could figure out what I am doing wrong. I don't know why so many people on this forum are so quick to jump to erroneous conclusions. Tony has already contacted me and I am sure he will be able to figure out what I am doing wrong. I am looking forward to changing over all of my old worn brush style timers once I get this figured out. For the record, when the timer gets into the right spot it runs great so I am sure it is something I am doing. All I was looking for was a little help figuring it out and frankly the thought never occurred to me to contact the manufacturer given the wealth of experience available on the Forum.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ken bechtel on Saturday, February 01, 2014 - 09:26 pm:

Val! I installed one in my T and it advances smooth. the brush is directional .maybe worth a check.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Fretschl Oshkosh Wi on Sunday, February 02, 2014 - 10:12 am:

Val I read you first post and did NOT feel you were trashing any one. It reads like a straight question to me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary M. Wheeler on Sunday, February 02, 2014 - 10:20 am:

Good morning Val! I literally just finished installing TW Components (Tony's) brush timer on my '14. Mine came with a thin "piano wire" in the kit to hold the brush in it's housing while placing the timer cover in position, then at the last second before she seats 100% you pull the wire out from the top and you can hear the brush spring into position inside the timer housing. I did "dry fit" everything first prior to the final installation. I made sure I changed the felt/brass to the new neoprene seal/brass. I test fitted the brush holder over the camshaft, even turned the timer by hand to ensure free movement. My brass plate did slip out of position causing binding so I made sure it was fully seated and everything went smooth. Took her out for a quick 10-mile jaunt and it runs exactly as before, so I know it's good. (Tony's TDC indicator is an absolute MUST. Very well designed and made it so easy to get the timer rod in the correct position)
Check that the brass ring that holds the seal in position is still straight, smooth and seated. It's the small things sometimes!
Gary Wheeler


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Sunday, February 02, 2014 - 01:05 pm:

If you use a modern cam seal,you can chuck the brass timer plate. They are nothing but a source of trouble.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Val Soupios on Thursday, February 06, 2014 - 09:19 pm:

As a follow up, I spent a lot of time on the phone with Tony and he gave me a lot of good things to check out but as it turns out it was a simple quick fix. The height of the old timer that I was running on my car was not as tall as the new timer housing on Tom's units and as a result the timer retainer spring was way too tight on the new timer causing it to bind. I loosened the retaining spring and the problem disappeared. I still don't understand why it was only binding when the motor was running but the end result is that the car is running great and all it took was a slight bend in the timer retainer spring. I should also mention that Tony was kind enough to send me one of his new brush holders and they are a snap to install. The brush is retained by a piece of wire that releases the brush after the cover is almost on. I am sold on his design and plan to put his timers on all of my cars.


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