Turning Distro without changeing timing
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=209712
Printed Date: 01 Mar 2026 at 5:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Turning Distro without changeing timing
Posted By: MadCow
Subject: Turning Distro without changeing timing
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2026 at 2:48pm
 For some reason my distro is 180 degrees off, so my tach drive isn't facing the right way. I "should" be able to turn it in increments of 60 degrees as long as I change which sparkplug is plugged where, right? Or do I need to pull it completely and turn it and retime? I will be timing the motor regardless, but I dunno really want find TDC. |
Replies:
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2026 at 3:27pm
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Is it a D series tractor? ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: MadCow
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2026 at 3:30pm
| Sorry, 190xt |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2026 at 4:10pm
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normally people want the #1 plug wire in a specific location.. if you dont care, then yes you are right.. rotate the distributor and cap 180 degrees and move the wires the same... It all depends on where the ROTOR is pointing and it will move 180 degrees with the distributor. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2026 at 6:13pm
| This much, I know. The distributor rotor/shaft cannot be turned 180 degrees. It only fits in the engine one-way, not two ways. So, with that in mind, proceed. |
Posted By: JC-WI
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2026 at 10:58pm
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Tach drive was forward on all 190/XT gas tractors as far as I know. ------------- He who says there is no evil has already deceived himself The truth is the truth, sugar coated or not. Trawler II says, "Remember that." |
Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2026 at 9:16am
| Use a longer cable? |
Posted By: MadCow
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2026 at 9:35am
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I can't imagine the drive cable is supposed to point forward and turn around a 180 degree bend to the tach, that would cause significant wear on the cable. But I don't know for sure. It's also angled too close to the block cable physically won't screw on. So I would at least need to move 60 degrees. The rotor/shaft won't be turning, just the housing and cap, so I shouldn't have issues with that. The #1 spark plug wire will be in a different hole in the cap, but will be in the same place relative to the rotor. The same absolute place in space.
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2026 at 10:11am
| If someone has an Owners manual to an early 190/190XT, I'm sure there is a picture of the left side of a gasoline engine and that would verify how things were positioned. The later model tachometers were driven by the alternator. |
Posted By: MadCow
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2026 at 10:18am
Looked through, only shows the diesel left side.
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DrAllis wrote: