MTFCA Forum

Good morning Forum Chums!
The next newbie question of what I’m sure will be many!… This is my first foray into the The model T world, and I’m already loving it! My mechanical experience is relegated to the restoration of old 30s and 40s Ford tractors….So… There’s going to be a learning curve while I try to learn the subtleties of the model T’s electrical system, because obviously it’s not linear to my experience…. Being completely candid, some of the information in some of the Ford manuals is scant at best with no real usable pictures, certainly not like all of the detailed IT shop manuals for tractors etc.
I would value anyone’s insight on a good place to go to find detailed information with good pictures and or video regarding engine timing, and timer maintenance….I am afraid to even touch it at this point…lol….As I alluded to, this is going to be the first of many questions…. What lubricant should I use in the timer? I think I have found the place where it is to be added, pictures to follow….many thanks in advance!

Lube with engine oil. Take timer off and wipe out the gunk from time to time, now would be good looking at the picture.

Will removing it mess with the current time yet at all?…. Until I know more about the whole process I’d hate to remove it and mess up the current timing

No, removing the timer will not mess up the timing. The timing is set by bending the rod from the spark lever making it longer or shorter.

Removing and replacing the timer cover will not affect the initial timing setting. One thing to be careful of is the wiring. If the insulation is brittle or chaffed, it may short to ground when the engine is running. Pay attention to how the wires are routed, and try to get them back exactly where they were so that they will not rub or get fouled in the fan belt. Clean the area around the timer before taking anything loose to prevent dirt from getting inside it.

Welcome to the Model T world! If you have worked on the Fordson tractors, old equipment and so on you can certainly work on and be competent working on and your Model T! It ain’t rocket science!
Sure you need some ideas on what to do and others will give guidance in the different aspects of a T.
As far as your Timer lubrication is concerned you have a roller style timer that needs a light grade oil and cleaning ever so often. It looks like the timer wires are in good shape and haven’t lost any insulation.
Loosen the bolt that holds the timer flat spring and remove and clean out the case, replace it and squirt in some light grade oil in the fill cap. Some use light grease.
Over the years people have used different types of lube so you will hear different types that can be used.

And no you won’t get anything out of time by doing this. Put it back the way it was and you’ll be OK. Don’t think of a T like it’s a computer because it’s not! Don’t think of your T’s electrical like your modern truck has. It’s really just basic stuff like the old Ford tractors you’ve worked on.

Good luck BUT do get the Ford service manual if you don’t have one. It’s the one owners have depended on over many years.
Good luck and others will help you out and give more advice.

Edwin if you do decide to clean the commutator you can also check the roller attached to the cam without removing it. The roller can have a lot of play on the pin shaft causing some issues. You will note that it should be spring loaded as to put pressure on the commutator contacts however the roller itself can be wallowed out oversized on the pin that can cause ignition issues.

Thanks guys….now that makes perfect sense… I had thought that the timing was changed by adjusting the rod but I wanted to make sure, now I will clean that up internally and fresh lubricate!…..how much oil should I squirt into it after cleaning?

I use a New Day timer which doesn't require any lube so someone else will have to tell you how much lube to use.

From the photo I can't tell what kind of timer you have. When you remove the cover take a close look at the brush and see what condition it is in (post a photo.) Steve Jelf has an excellent discussion of timing at <https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG97.html> that you might find interesting. If you find it necessary to replace your timer it will allow you to check whether the new one needs any adjustment or whether the old one is properly set for that matter.

We were all newbies once. Don't be afraid to ask questions as the people on the forum are for the most part patient and helpful. They've certainly helped me over the last four years since I bought my Model T.

Don’t completely fill it up. Maybe a table spoon but not a whole lot. If you put a lot in it’s overkill. The old owners manual would recommend check and lube every 50 miles. Remember if you were going a on 50-100 mile trip you were taking a really long trip in the T era!

That’s why some preferred a thicker type oil so it wouldn’t leak and go everywhere and make a big mess.

Here is some reference site material
Google searching not just text but video's too on many subjects
search words MTFCA.COM
timer lubrication mtfca.com
https://www.google.com/search?q=timer+l ... nt=gws-wiz
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Lots of How To's on this site
Here's a start to the Ignition system for example - lots of similar details on about everything
https://modeltfordfix.com/hand-crank-st ... patterson/
https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG52.html
https://www.nwvs.org/technical-reference/
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Check out the other Discussions Threads. A must is to drill down on the Vowell Art Links for exploded diagrams https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=14 --
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Lots of Downloadable / Printable Documentation on Cimorelli's Site
http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/default.htm or http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/1927/default.htm
Click on side menu or manual image

Make sure it not an E-Timer or I-Timer, they are completely maintenance free and require No lubrication, EvER! They can be identified by removing the timer from its mounting position and looking inside the timer housing for a green or blue circuit board with white lettering.

The timer that flyingpiper has pictured in his first comment is a original style roller timer that required light oil lubrication. The oil filler flip cap on top of it identifies it as one with his finger raising the cap.

Astute observation of original style timer housing. E-Timer triva: The first few years of E-Timer production utilized original Ford script roller timer housings with oil filler as the enclosure. Hence, my precautionary advisory post before one reaches for the oil can. Another clue is fuse jumpers installed across the coil points unless they were installed internal to the coil in which case a peek inside the timer is the only easy way to be sure it isn't a maintenance free E-Timer.

I use Vaseline mixed with 3 in One oil on the roller and inside the cup of my original style timer. Viscosity should be about like molasses or Karo syrup. It clings to the contact ring, lasts a lot longer than oil alone and is not electrically conductive. Be sure that whatever you use has no conductive ingredients such as lithium or graphite or if it bridges the space between the contacts, you will short out your timer. Jim Patrick