Timer info
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Topic author - Posts: 5083
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Hatch
- Location: Alabama
Timer info
Anyone know what the roller for this timer looks like? Thanks Dan
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- Posts: 1069
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
- First Name: Erik
- Last Name: Johnson
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Timer info
I searched "Herz Timer" on Google books. They were manufacturing timers early on, long before Model Ts arrived on the scene.
Around 1920, they introduced the Herz Hammerblow Timer for Fords.
If you search "Hammerblow timer" on Google Books, it yields some good information (two web pages worth of results).
Unless your timer is not a Hammerblow, it is missing the rear apron.
I believe it had a cam instead of a roller.
Click on this link:
https://www.google.com/search?q=%22hamm ... z-modeless
Around 1920, they introduced the Herz Hammerblow Timer for Fords.
If you search "Hammerblow timer" on Google Books, it yields some good information (two web pages worth of results).
Unless your timer is not a Hammerblow, it is missing the rear apron.
I believe it had a cam instead of a roller.
Click on this link:
https://www.google.com/search?q=%22hamm ... z-modeless
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- Posts: 1069
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
- First Name: Erik
- Last Name: Johnson
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Timer info
Click on link and read the description - does not use rollers, brush, fibre or raceway. A quickly read some of the material I posted above and it did have a cam as I assumed.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mo ... frontcover
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mo ... frontcover
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- First Name: Frank
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- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
- Location: Moline IL
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Timer info
I captured the articles referenced in the links above & found an ad that someone posted in FaceBook. Think the ad gives a good idea on what it looked like. Basically a rotor
Posted by Mark Osterman July 23 2019 https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=h ... ow%20timer
Posted by Mark Osterman July 23 2019 https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=h ... ow%20timer
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
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- First Name: Chris
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- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Coupe
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Re: Timer info
The claims on 'page 39' are almost good enough to have been generated by AI!
I would not have much confidence that the relative timing of each cylinder was at all consistent with such a small radius, and spring loaded contacts
I would not have much confidence that the relative timing of each cylinder was at all consistent with such a small radius, and spring loaded contacts
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Re: Timer info
And the cost!
That Herz timer priced at $4.75 in 1921 when most timers cost under $2.
Today’s dollars a std. timer was 20 bucks or so, that bronze casting and hardened steel spring contacts was the equivalent of $70 today
That Herz timer priced at $4.75 in 1921 when most timers cost under $2.
Today’s dollars a std. timer was 20 bucks or so, that bronze casting and hardened steel spring contacts was the equivalent of $70 today

The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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- Posts: 1069
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
- First Name: Erik
- Last Name: Johnson
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Timer info
Now I wonder if there were two styles of Hammerblow timer - one with the apron and one without (late version vs early version or vice versa) or if the one shown in the ad that Mark posted was just for illustration purposes.