Timing a L134

[Judge]

I finally got around to timing my Hesse Hornet as it was very difficult to start and when it does, it only runs a bit and poorly at that. (FYI the HH is an air compressor that is based on the L134 using cys 1 and 4 to run and cys 2 and 3 to compress air.) �Got out �some tools I haven't used in years --timing light, remote start switch, etc. � �When I hooked the time light to cy1, the mark on the front pulley was at least 15 degrees BEFORE the 5 degree mark. �So, backed off the two 1/2 inch bolts holding the dist and tried to rotate it. �NO GO. �Then I noticed that the plate just under the dist. was slotted and I moved that from one extreme to the other, but that made no diff in the timing. �Should the �dist rotate, or is the plate under the dist, which seems to make sense to me, what changes things. �Could be the dist is stuck on full advance as well. �Next step??? �Too tired to mess with it more today as Spring has arrived and I am busy with outside work. �Another thing could be that the wiring is wrong. �Number ONE plug wire in the the dist is about"2 o'clock". �The HH originally had a 2 wire dist cap, I am told. �They are long gone, so my HH , like the two others I have seen, uses a 4 wire cab with cys 2 and 3 wires grounded to the block. �Thanks �

[F Bill]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the distributor itself has to be turned to change the timing. It sounds like it is stuck, and  a few weeks of Kroil or PB blaster soaking. and some Freeze Off applied to the distributor casting may break it free. Stuck Willys distributors are a common problem and often result in folks breaking off the distributor, so be patient and keep soaking things.


That said, adjusting your point gap MAY get the timing sufficiently close. It sounds like your points are slightly too close, which would advance the timing.

[1955CJ-5]

You must turn the distributor to change the timing...sounds like it is thoroughly stuck...put some penetrating lube on it and let it sit...mine was so well stuck that I thought i would have to break it to get it out....

When you time it the slotted plate remains fixed, and the dist will turn throughout the range allowed by the slot..

[garage gnome]

Tap it lightly with a hammer from the bottom too after soaking it for a while. And I mean LIGHTLY! When you reinstall, coat the end in grease. You'll thank yourself later. �;)

[Judge]

Thanks  for the responses.  As I noted above, it has been some time since I messed with a distributor and a timing lights, although I currently maintain 11 vehicles, and only 2 have distributors. .  I'll work on the dist and have some consolation that a stuck dist is NOT uncommon on a L134.  I tsill wonder if the dist. cap is wired correctly.  I think I'll hook the timing light to the grounded number 2 wire --remember number 2 cy does not fire, but is part of the air compression system.   Regards

[CJPilot]

My distributor was stuck as well. �I soaked for a week or so and ended up using my chain vice grip to finally get it to move.

Best of Luck
Steve

[athawk11]

Judge,

Did the distributor rotate from one edge of the slot to the other edge of the slot on the backing plate?  If so, the distributor may not be stuck.  Can you post a photo?  

It sounds like you may have an off brand distributor similar to mine.  I couldn't time mine correctly until I re-indexed the oil pump.

Tim