Hey guys is there a specific way to do this? It is a 21 stud 37, insert bearing engine. Heads are off so TDC will be easy to find/mark. What is the easiest way to go about it or is there a specific process ? Thx
Flathead Fords up to 1948 have an offset groove on the front of the cam, and a corresponding tang on the distributor. They should only go on one way. If you manage to put it on 180 degrees off, you used too big of a hammer. Then you install the wires to the correct cylinders. You do know that #1 is the right front, dontcha?
Distributor is timed off engine, ideally by distributor machine or on a fixture but can easily be done with a ruler...I found some material on that and posted it here and on Fordbarn I think. Different, of course, from the ruler method for 1942 and up distributors. As a check, with everything right correct timing will be very close to center of scale on distributor. As Alchemy said, once it is timed you just slap it on there since it will only go on easily in the proper alignment to cam. Rotational position of engine and cam don't even matter. Wile heads are off, use simple interference method with a piston stop to find and mark accurate TDC...then you can check it in the future with a timing light. The 4 degree spec is TDC plus 2 notches on scale...
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