The 1955 Ford Workshop Manual mentions that you should disconnect the steel vacuum line from the distributor when setting the timing. Normally, you would plug a rubber vacuum line with a golf tee, pencil, etc when doing this. What do you do whith a steel line? Leave it open?

 

I used my finger. You only need to plug it to get a smooth idle if it is not idling well. As long as the rpm stays close, you should be OK with it unplugged. Test that idea to see if the timing changes plugged vs unplugged.

Note, this is my experience with an newer dist w/steel tubing. A Loadomatic is a little older than I am familiar with. If the tube fitting is small enough, you can get rubber caps at auto parts stores like the ones used on the vacuum manifolds on the firewall on later model cars. From what I just read, it shouldn't matter, because the vacuum is above the throttle plate, and thus has no vacuum at idle. mebbe.

tom

 

But if I am holding the timing light in my right hand and turning the distributor with my left hand, I have run out of hands to plug the line. Sounds like a two person procedure!

 

just pick up some vacuum caps like .10 each at napa.

 

Do they go over the threads of the plugs or are they blind plugs the carb?