I was fortunate enough to borrow a friends Etimer just to see what I thought of it...My observations are just that and I don't want to start a debate as usual...
I installed the timer per instructions. Proceeded to use coils that no one would want to try in their car (good winding's, but the wood was a mess, don't think points would hold an adjustment if it could be achieved). I started the car as normal on my 8 volt battery. The very first observation was the engine sounded different, hard to explain but it was smoother. I did not have to advance the spark lever to keep it running, but when I did, there was a sweet spot at idle that I never had before. I have not had the chance to road test my "15" yet, but will let everyone know what I experience. Good or bad.
Greg: Thanks for your candid observations.... and look forward to your comments after the road trip....... good or bad.
I was in a similar situation, loaned an E-Timer to try out. Put it this way, I'm not going back to a mechanical timer.
The raspy random buzzing sound of the coils is gone because it's the E-Timer that controls the point vibration, not the contacts themselves. Instead, it's a smooth consistent buzz, and a similarly smooth consistent spark.
The two things that really stood out for me is the improved low end torque, and the engine is just smoother (and quieter) right across the entire rev range. That can only be a good thing for bearing life. Of course, not having to worry about timer wear ever again is a further advantage.
One of the convenient things with the E-Timer is the ability to use coils with failed capacitors and/or misadjusted points. In fact you don't even need the points at all. Only the windings need to be good.
I hope you guys are not starting up another shouting match about this timer thing.
My comments, Greg, I'm always excited to hear what new users say about any change they make to their cars. Good or Bad. Mostly we don't like to say bad if we just spent a bunch of money on something that doesn't work out.
JohnH, I have to hear the coils sing! That's a cool thing about driving a T. You can simply adjust them to the sound that you like.
Greg, Let us know more after you get her out on the road.
I loaned out my E timer, sigh!! Just received the new replacement today!!! Hooray
And yes it is another E timer
If there were to be something you didn't like about it, it is probably best to keep it to yourself, lest they bring out the timbers and three large nails.
I inherited Tru-fire..e-timer's "cousin" when I bought my first T. Heck, I knew nothing about the modern contraptions at the time, but do know it performs very well. Until the contacts get dirty, so every 2 years it seems they need cleaned. No big deal. Gives me something to do. But the "Three Brassalleros" are all stock ignition, and they run so quiet you can hear the coils ticking while even doing 25 mph which is a soothing sound. Just sayin'
Tim
Which contacts on the Tru-fire? I have been running one for more than 10 years and it has needed ZERO service!! I'm obviously missing some "fun"!!
Same here - other than resetting the timing when I first got the car (it came with a Truefire and the previous owner had set the timing with the Ford two-hole gage), I haven't done a thing to it except enjoy it.
I installed an E-timer on my model T just before the Albuqurque Tour. I have a high compression head, and disc brakes, after that it is bone stock. Ron Patterson did the coils in 2007, and Fun Projects checked my coils last year. I thought it ran very well with an Anderson Timer, but it did run better with the E-Timer.
In fact, it ran really well. Climbed everything everyone else did on that tour. I was very pleased with it. I also felt it ran smoother, and had more low end torque
I just got the chance to road test my borrowed Etimer... What I noticed most is the increase in pulling power on a hill or not having to advance the throttle when starting out from a stop. The power band seems to be very large compared to stock. When going up a hill in high gear, it seems to continue pulling when before I would have to downshift to low. I have not killed the engine starting out either. Now to take out the junk coils and install ones with points so I can hear the buss! Hoping to talk my friend into selling the Etimer to me.
I would like to try the E Timer someday but the cost is too much for me to afford plus my modern seal tends to seep oil just a little and according to the installation instructions it could harm the timer so that alone would stop me from getting it. I have the carbon brush type in my car which seems to work very well for me. Once a month or so the car starts running funny so I need to take it apart and clean the oil that seeps past the seal and I'm back on the road again.
Greg: Thanks for your observations and e-mail. Enjoy the drive with the E-Timer.
Bob J.
Bought one 3-4 years ago. Never put it on anything to try it out. After reading this thread I might put it on my football pickup and see what happens.
I read that you do not have to adjust the spark advance on the steering column when using the e-timer, but what about the Tru-fire, do you still have to adjust your spark advance? I cant seem to find info about this.
Yes, you need to use the spark advance rod with a Truefire.
Also, you may need to adjust (usually lengthen) the spark rod to get the correct 15 degrees after top dead center timing with the timing lever fully up.
Here is an earlier thread talking about it:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/506218/517133.html?1423931331
Les Schubert: sorry this is late...haven't been back to this post til now obviously. Basically the "contacts" I mean is typically the studs coming out of the firewall from the unit. They get grungy and T-F seems to object. And you talk about balking at moisture...wow will it tell you real quick..like when your overflow tube on your radiator decides to part company and you start spraying anti-freeze all over the firewall! But I think even the contact points on the wood box inside your coil box get "filmy" or whatever after a couple of years, inhibiting the transfer of juice. So I take mine all apart every two years (next spring's the time again) clean 'em up and all is good. And gives me something to do!
The E-Timer is configured by default so you do not need to use the spark advance, except when starting. However, simply by removing all but one of the coils and turning on the ignition for five seconds, before putting the coils back, it will then operate with manually controlled advance. You can change between the two modes as much as you like without using any tools or actually physically changing anything.
So you have the choice of driving as you would with a mechanical timer, or you can let do it automatically. My driving preference is for manual timing, but I've also tried the automatic mode and it does actually work noticeably better with hill climbing.
BTW, I was using a felt seal for a few months and had no problems with it, but it did allow a few drops of oil to accumulate. So, you'd need to keep it clean. Now that an E-Timer is a permanent fixture, I did install the Lang's neoprene camshaft seal with a .006" shim around the perimeter.
Tim
Thank you for the info. Hopefully I will continue to not have these issues, but I will remember your experience
I wonder who has the E-Timer with the most miles on it? Should be some kind of award?
I have my name on the list for one, but understand that there is some hold up on production. Guess they went over way to well.
Dean Yoder runs an e-timer. I would bet he has the most miles....
I'm betting with Michael,
I think the next batch will sell much better after so many positive user reviews and it's durability and customer satisfaction rating
Wondering if Dean run's 6 volts?
I am sure I can't compete with Dean, but I have been using an e-timer for about 5 years. I drove from Nebraska to California and back in 2012, and since then have been on numerous National and regional tours and trips. Have had no problems with the e-timer. And, Randall, I am using 6 volts.
Steve
That's good to know
Thank you
Steve, You must be a Close Second! So have you disabled your mag or does it charge your 6V battery?
Does anyone remember how long a T ran on a single 9v transistor battery?
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/301342.html?1343105646
Garnet
Gene: The mag still works OK, I just don't switch to mag. Leave it in the battery position. Since it is a 1926, it has a generator to charge the 6 volt battery.
I run 12 v with alternator & 6V charged by Magnito
Switch on battery= 12V
Switch on mag is 6V
In the last three days I have driven 795.6 miles. Yes E Timmer
This is always my favorite story (involving an eTimer):
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/382548.html?1377118056
Interesting post -- nothing negative. Guess you etimer folks have been accepted as having a legitimate accessory.
Dean is there a difference in power switching from 6 to 12 volts?
Running the Etimer on 12 volts will give you more automatic advance timing than on 6 volts. More voltage equals faster coil build up. Like switching from battery to magneto.
I put on my E-timer today and went for a 175 mile shake down cruise. Car ran better than ever. Started easier, idled better and more power than its ever had. I'm only running on 6 volts and am so pleased that I may switch over to 12 volts. Hills that I would have avoided in the past were pulled with ease. Previously the car would cruise nicely at 35 MPH and now 45 MPH seems easy.
Anyone ever wonder how much thought, time and energy went into creating the E-timer? It's pretty amazing as far as I'm concerned.
Just ready the story of its development to see what went into creating it.
Regards,
Garnet
Gentlemen, I do not know a thing about a E-Timer. I have seen them, but never have tried one. I restored my 1911 touring car in 1995. I like to show and drive my car. When I started driving my car after I finished restoring it, it had the stock roller in the timer. The car had Heinze coils in it. I could get around 50-60 miles before it would mis-fire.I changed to a Anderson timer(guts),It would still go around the same mileage before the coils would misfire. I had to carry 5 coils under the seat.(I sent the coils to a couple of repair people)
I met Ed Bittner (tru-fire) up at Hershey one year(maybe 1998 or1999). I purchased the tru-fire system. I have been running it ever since. I just put my 6th set of tires on my car. The longest day That we have driven so far is 240 miles. The only problem that I ever had was on a tour in Virgina,I was going up a 4 mile in low pedal and the fan belt broke. The timer module got hot and melted. We made the hill with out the car stalling. At the top the car would not start again, because it was out of time. I can not say any bad things about TRU-FIRE.
My tru-fire is a 12 volt unit. The magneto charges a 12 volt gel battery.(with the Bittner charger)
Respectfully,
Pete Ratledge
Mark: If it is running so well on 6 volts, then why would you even consider switching over to 12 volts? Then you have problems with the starter bendix, have to change bulbs, etc. I have been running mine on 6 volts for years with no problems and it pulls hills and runs great.