Does your Model T run erratically? It could be your timer that is at fault.

The timer is the Model T's equivalent of a distributor on a more modern car. Its' job is to complete the ignition circuit down to earth for each cylinder in turn. Simple enough you may think. The inner part of any timer is driven off of the end of the camshaft and originally consisted of a roller that contacted with metal segments within a cover to which the coil wiring was connected. This arrangement allows for accurate timing but requires regular cleaning and lubrication to maintain optimum running. Another inherent problem with this type of timer is wear. Dips can appear in both the insulated section of the cover and also in the metal segments themselves causing the sprung loaded roller to bounce which in turn leads to mis-firing.

Various types of timer have been tried over the years. In addition to the original roller style (sometimes known as Tiger timers), there have been multi-roller, brush type and flapper style (Anderson). People have their own favourites but we have now tried a few options and believe the latest New Day has offered the best performance and the lowest maintenance by far!

Of course, if your coils aren't up to scratch, you could still have an uneven idle and poor performance so why not have them serviced and setup at the same time as fitting the new timer?