Farm Equipment - WD45 Ignition Timing

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WD45 Ignition 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=174025
Printed Date: 31 Aug 2025 at 1:41am
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Topic: WD45 Ignition Timing

Posted By: Sanchez
Subject: WD45 Ignition Timing
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2020 at 11:25pm

I have finally gotten around to checking out the ignition timing on the WD45 using a timing light. I had set it up previously using the seat of the pants method which actually worked pretty well. The light revealed that the Fire mark was only off by about 1/4 " in the sight window , so it didn't take much of an adjustment on the distributor, less than 1/16" of a rotation. My question is while watching the timing mark with the light while running it seems pretty jumpy and slightly erratic and will move at times up to 1/2 " in the sight window sometimes forward sometimes aft of centre in the window. Is this normal? Could this be the result of a sloppy bushing in the distributor which is allowing the timing to drift ? I should mention that its a 54 model .

Thanks, Richard.

Replies:

Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2020 at 6:18am

Richard,

Are you setting the timing at wide open throttle? If not that could be the reason?? I don't time these enough to be able to answer your question. Sounds like your very close and timing by ear or feel can get you very close to correct also.

We need some pictures too!

Regards,

Chris

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D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet.

Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2020 at 9:16am

I suppose if everything was like new it may not move around but that is how my 45 is. Im going to say "its normal".

Posted By: Sanchez
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2020 at 1:31pm

Thanks Steve thats good to hear, I'm not too worried about it as its not likely to affect my launch time on the 1/4 mile :). I was just curious more than anything if it is worth messing with the distributor bushings, there is a little side to side slop in the shaft although I haven't measured it as such. Or if there is a lot of slop in the bushings what kind of tuning problem would you get?

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2020 at 3:40pm

Any looseness is the distributer shaft/bushing causes that. Not normal for a tight shaft.

Posted By: NNYACAL
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2020 at 9:42am

if the bushings are loose and you are timing it at idle then the centrifugal flyweights and springs should also be checked as these will also affect you timing.

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G,IB,B,C,CA,RC,WC,WF,WD,WD45,D14,D17SERIES 1,2,4