Flathead Tune-up

I would start with a set of plugs, AC 45 or Champion J8s. Non-resistor plugs are getting hard to find in the parts stores, but any lawnmower shop will have J8s. Gap the plugs to .030 inches.

Next up will be the usual suspects, a set of points gapped to .020 inches and a new condensor. A new rotor, cap and plug wires are normally a good idea as well, if you don't know how old the existing ones are.

You *should* be able to find all the parts at your FLAPS, if not then try NAPA. If all else fails, you can get them from KRAGE www.jeepdoc.com but you will have to wait a week or so for them.

The is a lot of debate regarding how to set the timing on these old engines, but one thing is for sure and that is things are rarely to spec on a 50-year-old engine. That and the fact that the gasoline available today is vastly different than it was in the 50's. I tend to use a vacuum gauge to set the timing, rather than a timing light. Set the timing to the highest vacuum reading you can get at idle, and tighten the distributor down. Take it for a spin, and see if it pings under load. If it does, then back the timing off a bit and try it again.

Hope this helps. Oh, and did I mention we like pictures here???