How to set Ford Model A Ignition (Engine) Timing. 

PLEASE NOTE: The timing tool giveaway is over. Thank you to all!

Love your videos Paul! My dad purchased a 1930 Tudor when he was 17 years old. He is now 76 and the car is still with us! After being drafted to Vietnam and then raising 4 kids he retired with intentions of getting it road worthy Again but suffered a massive stroke at age 68. My brother has restored the car to my dads thoughts and dreams though he can't drive it he loves riding! You however have inspired me to buy one of my own. It's a 1930 Tudor. I named him Norm and we are getting him road worthy which won't take much. Thank you so much for your shared knowledge it is helping me along greatly! We live in up state NY but it would be a dream to meet you and Tina and of course your dad sometime! You guys are awesome!!!

Happy to come across this channel. I owned a 1929 A from 1953 to about 1958. It was my first car and was not considered very cool at that time. It was rusted out on the driver side just south of the driver's door. It was a coup converted with a well made pick up bed where I kept at least 2 gallons of recycled oil for obvious reasons.When I first got it the main bearings were shot so I pulled the engine and had new mains and rods rebabbited at a local machine shop. Very common in those days. I installed everything but did not put new rings in it. I was financially exhausted. Regret that decision. The only maintaince manual available was Floyd Clymers reproduction of the original ford book. Over the 5 years I worked on EVERYTHING! It is not a low maintenance car if driven every day. Drove from Tucson to the Mogollom rim which was a hard dirt road trip of about 230 miles. It never let us down but many things loosened up. Brother and I had tools and many parts with us and 4 extra old tires and tire irons. We used them all up that summer and lots of oil. The whole affair was a love/hate relationship. Sold it in '58 for $50. Two weeks later the buyer came back and wanted his money back. He had driven it on the highway 65+ mph and just beat the bearings to death. I always drove about 45.

I have been doing Model A's for a long time. I always time them almost exactly as you have here. This is an outstanding "How To" and shows just how much you know about these great cars. Timed correctly, anyone can hand-crank an "A" just as you demonstrated.

Timing tool! Great video! By far the best Model A videos out there!

Timing tool! I love these cars and I need one in my life! All your videos are brilliant, Paul! I love the technical nature and how in depth you go.

I set mine today just as you had suggested, runs real nice, smooth the thing right out.

Thank you very very much for your videos. I am very close to having my own model A in the garage - so all these well made tutorials are pretty much a god's gift for me! Keep 'em coming! :D

Good work Paul! I just bought a 31 coupe, and before I had it home I bought the book and the timing tool. Your videos are a wonderful resource, thank you.

Timing tool, as all your videos, this one is well thought out and produced. As a long time Model A’er, timing is one of the hardest things to conquer. A very good friend of mind thought me the in’s and out’s of working on a Model A. The tool you show would make a greater addition to anybody’s tool box and well worth the investment. Thanks again and I look forward to your next video, Lecil Alexander

2 degrees past TDC...that makes so much sense with regards to hand cranking. That makes so much sense! Thanks.

Timing tool!! Your videos are helping me keep my grandpas 30 Tudor running thank you

Timing Tool - Hello Paul. I see that back in the day Henry (Ford) did a great job of assisting the owners of Ford cars running by making "tune-up" tasks easier - like setting the ignition timing. You are doing a really nice job with your videos. Keep up the good work as I will definitely utilize your youtube channel as a source of information when I finally get my '31 Ford Model A. Thanks.

That Timing Tool looks like a perfect addition for the tool kit that travels with Edna my '31 Sport Coupe!

Thanks for showing the use of the timing tool and the info on oiling the distributor. I didn't know it could be a problem until I saw your other YT video yesterday. I will be oiling mine before the next startup. Jim

Timing tool , you sir are a walking book of knowledge. Thanks for doing the videos. I have a 30 Model A Deluxe Coupe my wife and I are enjoying. Learning a lot from your videos.

Great video Paul. I like your approach to timing. Your tips and recommendations cleared up a few things for me. I hope you're doing well. It seems so from the more recent videos I've watched. Keep up the great videos and service you provide us Model Aers. I know it's a labor of love.

Thanks for this video Paul. I am new to Model A land....you make it look so simple. After getting the Model A out of winter storage it doesn't want to start. It started fine last Fall after we timed it. I am going to follow your video to see where I am losing my spark. The timing tool you show must be the answer. Thanks again !

Thanks for the informative videos Paul. I restored my first A in 1970 and drove it 500 miles From Flint Mi. to Green Bay Wisc. and back without a breakdown. After a long hiatus from As I bought another one-a 31 Deluxe Roadster spring of 2000 and drive it around Fenton usually a couple times a week. At 77 I don't work on them much anymore but with a renewed interest, I enjoy just driving them (as we should). I also have done some bench work on Tube Amps-namely Fisher 800B and 500C that I own so I feel a connection with your similar interests. Cheers, Lyle

Relaxing, enjoyable and informative! Wow once again I found this to be valuable and helpful as well as a joy to watch!

I wish my spark advance lever worked as easy as yours. Mine has to be moved with the heel of my hand, same with the throttle lever. This is my first Model A, so maybe it will loosen up some with use. Thanks for the clear instructions using the timing tool, all of your videos are clear and very informative.

I enjoy your videos, I have only been a model A owner for 6 months.

And further more your cars SOUND SO GOOD! They don't sound like old ragged jalopies but rather a proper car! Thanks Paul for continuing to keep these cars up and give us so much info!

I'm not a big RU-vid subscriber but I keep finding myself going back to your videos. My teenage son and I have inherited a 1931 model A pickup and are having a great time working on it and watching your videos. Thanks.

Timing tool. Paul your videos are great. I am new to the Model A world. Looking forward to learning more and having your videos as a reference.

Thanks for this video. I have had a 1930 model a for 5 years now. Original paint car. I tried to start it for a month or so after I first got it. The guy i got it from said he just put a new clutch and brakes on it and he loved to drive it in the Christmas parade. Since then it has sat in my garage collecting dust. I understand alot more clear now the timing process for this motor and feel I will be able to get it running. I will need to get a "Timing Tool" because I will never sell this car. Great Video...Stay tuned for results. Lol

Timing Tool - First time owner. I have a lot to learn. Thank you!!

timing tool. one of the best videos I have seen

Timing tool! Just got my first model A recently and I’m trying to get it running. It sat in the previous owner’s garage for years without anyone running it, so I’m trying to learn about them to try and fire it up. Great video. Very helpful. Hoping to hear the engine run soon Esteban Glendora, CA

These are excellent! I don't own a Model A (yet), but watching your joyous experiences with your beautiful cars has convinced me that, when I finally settle in our last home on Planet Earth, there will be a Model A in our garage.

I know nothing about Ford Model A and I'm a Chevy guy and setting the timing like you show makes 100% that makes sense.

timing tool! Great video. I have a 1931 tudor sedan In progress. The complete running gear is assembled and running. I"ve owned it since 1951. It"s my first car.

Greatly appreciate this video. My Dad just bought a '31 and we are sorting the kinks out tomorrow; ignition timing is first on the list. Appreciate the tip about being After TDC with the lever all the way up. Glad I found your channel.

And, #4, as I recently discovered, 2 blade vs 4 blade. Sigh. You’re videos are super informative- thank you!

Timing Tool. Thanks so much for the video. Seen and read it many times but the light never came on or bell rang until I watched you do it!

timing tool I like your laid back approach to every thing model a, keep up the great work!

That Timing Tool is cool! Thanks to you and your video partner for these videos.

Timing tool. Looks great. Clear and simple. I have my to sons 23 & 25 watch for when |I am gone they will be among the few who still know how to work a Model A

That was a great program aii model a owners needed to see that 😀 thanks for all the help in your video. It helps me I know it has to help others.

Another great how-to video. I've never been able to see through the #1 spark plug hole and see the piston at TDC, but now that I've seen YOU do it, I'm going to try it. That Nu-Rex timing tool is an ideal replacement for the old-style tool we've used for years. It takes the guess work out of adjusting the cam. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

Great show, my dream fulfilled would be a model A four door sedan. My dad was born in 1928 and mom in 1930. It would be great to have a car to mark their beginning. I have a 1955 Chevy to mark my beginning. Thanks for being my model A mentor.

Just timed my 1930 Model A Pickup exactly per this Video per Paul's instructions; ( one notch down, the Nurex wrench, + one last tweek when the points just open). Wow! I live in Sparks NV, about 5,200 feet elevation. This is the most power and torque, my A pickup has had! Thanks Paul!

Timing Tool!!! Great Video Paul, I really appreciate your insights and practical approach.

Boy I found this video after I timed a friend's 1929 Model A Truck, we had an issue with it getting hot, my other very good Friend who is hopefully going to make new high speed gears for the double AA's timed it for me by advancing it, then we watched this video! Nobody should complain about any video you make!! Thanks for what You are doing!

I do not have an A ,but like these cars and your channel keep the clips on.

Timing tool. Nice video I love model A s. I grow up around classic cars hope to own one one day.

fantastic video for us new owners love your wrench and timing tool

Timing tool, and I have to agree, the best model a videos so far.

I like the old radios on the shelf. I had a clear V-8 chevy cap that I used to use many years ago.

Thanks for your expert instructions! Love your videos!

Timing tool! Awesome video! My close friend, a retired Pastor, has a Model A and has asked me to help him with maintenance. I'm a pretty good "wrench" but very little experience with the Model A. Thank you again for a great video.

I love the clear distributor cap!

That clear distributor cap looks really cool! It shouldn't be all that tricky to make one, seeing what a basic shape it is. Maybe even 3D printing can work

Super Lube is also the only lubricant I use on pinball machines. Excellent product.

Timing tool thanks Paul you’ve taught me a lot

I Love it. Reminds me when I was a little kid. helped my dad work on cars from about three or four years old. When I was about six, he had a Chevy small block V8 that needed a fuel pump. I already knew that you have to put the engine at Top Dead Center, #1 and there’s a Bolt on the front of the block that you have to take out and replace with a longer bolt to hold the cam pin in. He handed me the bolt and told me not to forget get it, which I did. When I pulled the fuel pump off the cam pin slid down and got stuck. I asked him how do I fix that, he said, “ With much difficulty”…🤣🤣 he made me figure it out, I sure miss him..

timing tool. Great job! I'll adjust my car the same way from now on

Timing tool! Great idea to prevent kick back. Thank you.

I have no experience working on model A but with your videos I feel I can with no problems.( well not many) thank you

Thank you. Just picked up a Tudor and your video was helpful.

Timing Tool. Thanks for the videos. I recently became caretaker of my employer's 1930 sport coupe, and your videos are very helpful.

Love the timing tool Paul, thank you.

Very helpful video on timing my Model A with the timing tool. Thank you!

So that crank turning tool is your own creation, amazing I thought it's part of original car tool kit. Thank you

Timing Tool - I have been timing like you described only I didn't know about the spark one click deal. I am going to try it next time and see how it does, thanks for your good videos.

Timing tool. Really enjoy your videos. Keep them coming!

Timing Tool. Great info Paul. Thank you

Timing tool! Like the adjustment to set TDC down one or two notches and will be checking my timing this coming weekend. Would also love to see a related video on detecting & solving misfiring issues.

Paul, your videos are amazing. I'm 66 and retired military. So, I have been thinking about a Model A as a hobby for a few years. Then my 93 year old mother died Christmas Day 2021. After we buried her in Jan, I attended the Mecum Auto Auction in Kissimmee and bought a 1930 Tudor in her honor (she was born in 1928), and named it after her, Winnie Bell. I've been working on it ever since Jan and used your timing, lube, oil change, water pump, and many other videos. They have been extremely valuable, and many thanks to you and Tina who almost single handedly are keeping the love of the Model A alive. I just rebuilt the carb and its running okay, although there are so many things to consider to get her to purr like yours (spark advance, gas adjust, timing, etc). I am having two problems, 1) when I come off the gas at higher rpms, she always wants to backfire, and 2) the indents on the spark adjust and throttle levers are so worn, the levers keeping slipping from their set position. Any recommendations?

Timing Tool. That method seems like a great idea. I’ll give it a try. Thanks

Great video! I just upgraded mine to a newer style 12v distributor. Made my nurex obsolete but I'm loving the performance boost

Timing Tool. Thanks Paul. I'm going to give your method a shot.

A 6 volt light bulb across the points will light at the precise moment the points open (no guess work) this was a great video.

Great Video! I recently inherited 12 Model As and already had one of my own. 3 Tudors, 2 four doors, 4 roadsters, 1 pickup, 1 woody wagon, 1 coupe and 1 phaeton. They all ran and drove at one time, but they have been in storage for years. This will be a great resource as I begin to pull them out and get them all back on the road.

Just bought my 1st model A ! 1931 Model.A coupe! Love your videos!!!!

Always good information you give us. Thank you Paul

Timing Tool Thanks for another great video Paul

That timing tool looks nice

Timing tool Thank you for allowing me to sign in! Fist time in and I’ve learned how to time my distributor! I saw you with Vice trip garage.. a super awesome show.. learning some great info You are a great presenter with your instructions Keep up the outstanding videos.

Timing tool. Love your videos. Thanks for all the great information.

Paul, thanks for the great video. I just discovered your videos on RU-vid and they are fun and helpful! I bought a1928 Model A Tudor for my 8 year old grandson, he loves it!

Thank You Paul, working on my 1930 Model A

Thanks again for another great video! Just finished timing my 1930 ccpu. I don't have the clear cap but took an old cap and cut both sides off leaving the center strip with the clip notches. Works the same for 'checking things out on the inside'. I had commented earlier but missed on the tool... next time.

Timing tool! Awesome instructions, as always, Paul! Thanks so much!!!!

Young man you don't really well, u Helped This old man out 😀 Very good job

Paul. Love your videos. I’m new owner of a 31 and a 30 model A. I’ve learned so much just watching and follow your methods to work on my cars. God bless and get well. Timing tool, please

Timing Tool. Thx for a great video. Looking forward to the distributor rebuild.

I'll never buy a Model A, but your videos are something to enjoy.

Great info. Could use a timing tool. I have my dad’s 1930 ModelA sport coupe he got when he was 16. He is now 83 he tried hard to wear out this A. Over 300,000 mile he says. My husband and I are just trying to fix it up some make it safer. As I grow up with it. As one of his daily cars. This is what I learned to drive with. Matter of fact my dad told me about your posts. Love them. Thank you for the info. Timing Tool!!!

Timing tool. THanks, Paul!

This was very helpful! Thanks Timing tool

I am in the process of buying my first Model A, and I would sure love to have a . . . Timing Tool! And thanks for the shout out to the Utah Valley Model A Club. They are the best!

Timing tool. Thanks for making these videos!

Timing tool! I'll give it a go - and thanx for the videos, they are really appreciated!

Thank you I'm fairly new to the Hobby and you've helped me a great deal I'll be working on it this weekend thanks again

The clear distributor cap was neat. Love where the spark plugs are located, easy access to the cylinder.

Timing tool! I have learn so much from you thanks and keep up the great work ❤ from Sweden

Timing tool. love your channel. I was picking up an old tool box purchased on an on line auction, and spotted a 1931 Model A roadster in the corner. I asked if it was for sale and ended up buying it. The previous owner was working on it. Needed coil. He fixed that but was struggling with timing. I'm going to recommend your video. I am to pick it up this week when he finishes repair. unmolested original. I am ecstatic.

Timing tool, always a good and fun video to watch.

Timing Tool. We will need this soon. Great video