Timing marks on the crank pulley

[12905]

Thanks for the good advice Jim, but I just have the engine, not the car. I got it in a job lot of old Chryco parts.

Brian

[Jim Benjaminson]

Hey Brian - easy way to tell if the engine is original or not.  Scrape the crud off the left front corner of the block (just above the generator) and you will find a number stamped INTO the metal.  If its a 36 it should start with "P2".  Now, remove the left rear wheel (honestly!) and scrape the rust and crud off the side of the frame rail facing you.  You will find the engine number stamped into the frame.  If the "numbers match", you've got the original engine......

[12905]

I have a P2 engine that has both a pointer on the chain cover and timing marks on the pulley. The engine is supposed to be 100% original. Judging by the caked on dirt and grease it sure looks like it, but I have no wsy of knowing for sure,

Brian

[MRR41 COUPE]

Thanks to all for doing the research.

[JimCno]

Regarding timing the ignition I just glanced at the 1936-42 Factory Service Manual and don't see mention of the timing marks. Actually all I see are the specifications. I guess you "just had to know".

It states in the engine section (not the ignition section) that there are timing marks on the crank pulley. I have manuals back to '34 and they also show timing marks on the crank pulley.

My '35 "Owner's Manual" states you may use either the timing marks on the pulley OR determining TDC by using an the plug-dial indicator over the #6 cylinder.

I see information in my '35 manual about setting the timing using the static method. I don't see anything about how to set the timing in the '36-'42 manual. (There is a lot of info missing from the early manuals. I think it was assumed that you already knew certain things). and the '46-'54 manual shows static timing and timing light.

It never hurts to confirm you timing mark alignment with the dial indicator above #6 cylinder. Over the years they moved both marks and indicators. My marks are at least 30 deg. off from the indicator. I'm sure I have a timing chain cover from one year and a pulley from another.

It's also a good idea to get manuals from later years (plus a MOTORS) as they added more and better information as time went on.

[TodFitch]

ply46, thanks for the reply.
The "plymouth Shop manual for 1941 series p-11 /p-12" does not mentioned any other way to set the timing. My engine is an original, S.N. P-12 24891. It is interested that your 1946 manual does not mentioned a timing light.? Still think is strange to check the #6 cylinder by removing the plug for TDC when the crank pulley has the markings. Maybe my crank pully isn't original pulley.

Thanks for the 5 degree BTDC recommendation, I will try it and let you know. I'm still? wondering when the timing light was introduced?

Thanks
Mike

Not sure when timing lights were introduced.

Regarding timing the ignition I just glanced at the 1936-42 Factory Service Manual and don't see mention of the timing marks. Actually all I see are the specifications. I guess you "just had to know".

In the 1933 "Instruction Book" they specifically tell you to look for the mark on the flywheel (they moved timing marks from the flywheel to the crank pully in later years):

The breaker points must be adjusted to .020" (.51 mm.) opening. (See "To Adjust Point Opening.") The ignition is set by first removing the inspection cover located on the left side of the flywheel housing directly below the started. The crankshaft should then be rotated, by means of the hand crank, until No. 1 piston is coming up on compression stroke and stopped when the line on the flywheel, marked "DC," coincides with the ignition mark on the timing indicator plate, marked "IGN." The point fo setting the timing may also be determined by removing the 1/8" pipe plug (located above No. 6 piston) and placing a gauge rod through the hole and in contact with the piston head...

Seems strange that they would have a timing mark available on the 1933 but not on later 1930s and early 1940s cars, so I'd guess they all had timing marks. Early ones on the flywheel later ones on the pulley.

[MRR41 COUPE]

ply46, thanks for the reply.
The "plymouth Shop manual for 1941 series p-11 /p-12" does not mentioned any other way to set the timing. My engine is an original, S.N. P-12 24891. It is interested that your 1946 manual does not mentioned a timing light.  Still think is strange to check the #6 cylinder by removing the plug for TDC when the crank pulley has the markings. Maybe my crank pully isn't original pulley.

Thanks for the 5 degree BTDC recommendation, I will try it and let you know. I'm still  wondering when the timing light was introduced?

Thanks
Mike

[plym_46]

Were you reading the Static Timing procedure??  This is in the manual to assist folks in setting up an engine after perhaps the distributer was pulled for service or the engine was turned over without the dist in place.  My 46 manual does mention a timing light as well as the static timing.  Since the factroy setting is for TDC, the static process gives you the proper setting so the light isn't really necessary.

However I have read several sources that with todays gas formulas it is benificial to crank in a bit of advance.  I am running about 5 degree Btc.  The reason is that todays gas burns with a slower flame front, so rather than going bang, it goes whooomph, pushing for a longer period on the piston rather than a quick shove.  However to get the most out of the deal you need to light it off in anticipation of the piston reaching TDC rather than being at it.  Of course this varies with engine speed and vacuum anvance but the initial advance stays in the system.

A running engine can also be timing set with a vacuum gauge.  Attach teh gauge to the windshield wiper vacuum port.  with the idle set, rotate the distributor to attain the highest steady reading on the vacuum gauge.  Assuming your engine is in good health it should be between 19 and 21 inches of mercury on the gauge with steady needle.  Once that is achieved, readjust the idle if necessary.

Does your engine number agree with the cars year of manufacture, or has it been swapped for a later model???  I can't say for sure when the degree makes were added to the pulleys.

[MRR41 COUPE]

I was in the process of setting my timing on my 1941 p-12 by using the 1941 service manual. In the manual it instructs me to pull the plug over the #6 cylinder, which has the same crank position as the #1 cylinder. I located tdc using a dial indicator as stated in the manual. I was in the process of marking the crank pulley when I saw factory marks already on the crank. My crank pulley has tdc marked and  goes 15 degrees in both directions.
My question is my the manuals in 1941 do not refer to thesemarks? Is this an aftermarket pulley from a newer flathead six? I have two engines that both have these crank marks. Since the 1941 manual does not even mention a timing light, was the timing light invented after 1941?