MTFCA Forum

So I was looking at pictures on the cars for sale forum and noticed the firing order. I questioned it if was 1342 and was informed it's 1243.

So I took another look at my car and the picture below is what I have. I noticed the other cars #1 is where my #3 is. I did not wire the car and this could explain why it's potentially not running correctly. I had it running a few weeks ago, got it up to temp. Then I could not get it started.

Some history: Did some re-wiring of some bare wires, I have nice points spark and spark at every plug. I thought I was getting fuel but I think my needle is sticky so Lang's sent me a new set that arrived yesterday. (Under the weather so I couldn't get anything done today)

Any advice on my firing order is welcome.

Additional info. Picture taken standing next to the passenger fender so #3 is closest to radiator.

The physical location of the wire on the distributor makes no difference. Unless there is a wire length issue. The only thing important is the firing order of 1-2-4-3.

Gotcha. I have some wire swapping to do.

Which direction does the distributor turn. Clockwise will give you 1243, counterclockwise will give you 1342. I have no idea which.

If they are wrong, I doubt it would run at all. If it did, it would be so bad that you certainly would know something was wrong. Or, I might kick the stuffin's out of you or the starter. I'd have to think about that though.

Another thought though, how old are you. Young folks don't know clockwise and counterclockwise.

Interesting the Model A is 1 3 4 2 but the T is 1 2 4 3. Just look to see which way the rotor turns when you turn the crank and put the wires in that order.
Norm

Model A is the same as a T, Norm.

No it is not. I have had at least 13 of them and they are different.
Norm

Ok, but....................

Didn’t we do this a couple of months back? 1, 2, 4, 3 is for T’s, A’s, B’s, 9N’s, 8N’s, Jubilee’s etc. Probably earlier to.

Where is the rotor pointing when #1 is at top dead center?

Toward the position on the cap where the wire going to the #1 plug is if the cap was on the distributor. I start with no wires, put #1 at TDC, look at where the dist. rotor is pointing, and that's where the wire to the #1 plug goes in the cap. Crank the motor 1/2 turn - now the rotor is pointing where #2 goes. Nother 1/2 crank, and it's pointing at #4, so the #4 wire goes there, then you do 3.

When you're setting up, I was told to pull the spark lever down 3 or so notches, so you have a retard setting while starting with it all the way up - I've had Distributor equipped T's snap back and try to bite me if you don't do that. Ouch.

Sounds silly, but different distributors set up differently... Sometimes the gears aren't indexed correctly, but this way your dizzy will still work.

vping wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:20 pm

Gotcha. I have some wire swapping to do.

That's not what Keith was suggesting to do.

Norman Kling wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:47 am

No it is not. I have had at least 13 of them and they are different.
Norm

The Model A Ford Club of America seems to think it's 1-2-4-3.

https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Seminar ... 0Janke.pdf

Page 2 of the attached .pdf file says 1,2,4,3:

I was wrong! I guess I always counted clockwise when distributor cam turns counter clockwise! It's been 50 years since I sold the last one! It was sold by accident. I put an ad in the restorer for $3,000 which I didn't think anyone would pay that much for a Model A! I had some people from Southern California who looked it but didn't want to pay my price. Then someone from La Fayette La came out, looked at at it. Dolores said what will I drive tomorrow. I said, "its not sold yet". Immediately they pulled out the money and paid for it! I thought it would be too far to commute from Alpine to San Diego every day in it so I had bought a Dodge Dart which I thought would become a collector car, but sadly it did not. Mine was 6 cylinder and the collectors wanted the V8. I had it until my son drove it to a place called Dictionary hill in San Diego which went right down the hill about 10% grade. There was a cross street and the kids liked to go fast down the hill and get airborne when they crossed the other street. Unfortunately he broke the block right where it was mounted to the motor mount. It had also been T boned by a kid coming out of the parking lot at high school so one side was bent in. The car went to the junk yard!
Norm

Didn't swap a thing and I was finally able to get it re-started. It runs great and there's still things to do.

Good I'm happy for you that you got it started.
Norm

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:55 am

vping wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:20 pm

Gotcha. I have some wire swapping to do.

That's not what Keith was suggesting to do.

Agreed. It was a duh moment. I did get it running and it runs very well.

vping wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:47 pm

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:55 am

vping wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:20 pm

Gotcha. I have some wire swapping to do.

That's not what Keith was suggesting to do.

Agreed. It was a duh moment. I did get it running and it runs very well.

Then that's what counts!!