N.O.S. Ford Timers

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2009: N.O.S. Ford Timers
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince M on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 - 10:35 pm:

My T has been running on a ford roller timer. Soon it will need replacement and i would like to keep it stock. I purchased a new tiger timer and keep it as a spare, but it doesnt look as rugged or reliable as the original product.

I understand there are other brands and types that are very good and i have nothing against them but i really would like to continue with the ford timer.

Are they still available N.O.S. or am I out of luck? I will post on classifieds if you guys think they are still available. I have never seen them for sale.

Thanks

Vince M


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave_Sosnoski on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 - 11:30 pm:

You can probably still find them NOS. It's easier and quicker to call Lang's and get a rebuilt one.

Dave S.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince M on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 - 11:35 pm:

Dave,

I didnt realize they did that. Do they perform well?

Vince M


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave_Sosnoski on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 08:01 am:

I've never used one but I believe they run just fine. I'm not aware of any issues with them. My first choice is the Anderson, my second choice would be a rebuilt Ford one. You can get either Ford script or non-Ford script. The Ford script ones are slightly more expensive. There is a core charge for both.

Dave S.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 08:27 am:

Contact Frank Fenton. I believe he will put his excellent Anderson style timer innards in a stock T housing. In fact, when Bob Thompson first began reproducing the Anderson timers, (and later sold the business to Frank), he only used original timer housings. Frank is a great guy and I'm sure he'll have a solution for you.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince M on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 08:48 am:

Thanks Jerry but i want to stick with the standard roller timer. I do understand the anderson is a great timer.

Dave - i think i will order one fom langs.

Thanks much for the input.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff Humble on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 09:11 am:

Vince,
There are many old threads regarding timers, worth checking out. The older timers including Ford and Tiger had a bakalite ring inside that insulates the contact strips and provides a surface for the roller to run on. The newer timers use plastic rings which wear much faster than the bakalite. Once the timer ring wears ridges and bumps it can cause the roller to skip which may cause the cylinder to fire late or not at all. A good used older timer can be dressed up on a lathe and made like new. You can replace the internal ring and contacts on your Ford timer with that of a new Tiger timer, but the Tiger ring may be plastic now and if so and will not last. Good used roller timers are readily available at swap meets like Hershey and Chickasha for around $10. A Tiger timer, Ford timer and Anderson timer all look alike on the outside, I would suggest replacing your worn timer with whatever you can find to run with and if you have a nice Ford timer keep it for show.

I have run an old Tiger timer with very good performance, and am currently running a glass Crystal timer with a new aluminum ring from Bob Scherzer. Ive got about 1000 miles on it and it is showing signs of wear, the glass is starting to chip out at the edge of the contacts. I picked up a good original used APCO timer which is what the new Anderson timer is copied from but I havent used it yet. Whatever you use, be sure to set your timiing based on the piston just past TDC as all timers are a little different, and inspect and lube frequently.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Tomaso on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 10:30 am:

Frank just recently "overhauled" the original Ford timer case off my '19 Centerdoor with the "ANCO" internals and the workmanship is flawless ! centerdoor


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 10:43 am:

I've seen Bull Dog Timers. They are just like a Ford timer, and just as well built. I wouldn't use a Tiger, they are too cheap.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince M on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 11:02 am:

I went ahead and purchased an on line ford script remanufactured one from Langs. My thoughts are i wont have to make any timing adjustments in the rod this way, and i have been happy with the reliability of my original one. Its pretty worn but still performs well.

Larry - I agree on the tiger timer. I like to keep it in the car as a just in case spare.

I have heard the anderson timer works super unless the engine kicks back and damages it?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff Humble on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 11:20 am:

Vince,
You should check the timing after you install the rebuilt timer, although it may be a Ford timer body, it has been rebuilt with who knows what innards. This is a safety issue if you ever hand crank and also is cheap insurance for your starter bendix.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince M on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 12:33 pm:

Good idea. No need for a broken wrist.

Thanks Jeff

Vince M


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Wetherbee on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 12:33 pm:

Frank rebuilt an original Ford script cast-iron timer into an Anderson style for my 15 something like 7 years ago and it has performed flawlessly since. The only maintenance has been an annual blow-out and re-lube with the grease he supplied with the rebuild. As far as the roller rebuild that I bought from a large t-parts supplier, it was missing at high speed within a couple of months from install. I'm sure it was due to the plastic being so soft that it had worn jumps in the area between the contacts. I wont throw rocks as I'm not sure if the same person rebuilds for all of the suppliers, but I also will not try another one out just in case...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 07:56 pm:

I understand it was only the early Anderson timers that had the problem of being damaged by kick back.
I bought mine 6 years ago and it does not have this problem.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By richard wolf on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 08:00 pm:

If you want to sell that Tiger timer, let me know.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 10:36 pm:

There are US made Tiger timers with bakelite rings. Recently, I acquired a NOS US tiger timer. I have never been blessed with a Ford timer. I have two for which many years ago we made new shoes and turned on the lathe. I have also turned one or two Japanese Tiger timers on the lathe. If they are not too bad you can smooth them up without cutting through the sheet metal shoe. I have never seen a Tiger timer, US or Japanese with solid shoes, all have had sheet metal shoes. I have good luck with all of the Tiger timers I have used. I buy just about any one I can get for a reasonable price, new or used. When I run out, I will make new shoes and rebuild them. I have also made new rollers and replaced those also.


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