Tuning Forks?

[Alan Carruth]

Another piece of tuning fork trivia.

Model T fords used a magneto ignition system. Part of getting it to work right was setting the gap on a set of points for each individual cylinder. The engine would rotated until that cylinder was engaged, and there would be a periodic spark discharge across the gap. The gap was set by adjusting it until it buzzed at a 'C' pitch, and a tuning fork was included in the tool kit that came with the car. Hence the origin of the term 'tuning up' the engine.

[robj144]

All you need is the tone. There are probably apps online or you can download for free that do the same thing.

[robj144]

Originally Posted by Alan Carruth

Another piece of tuning fork trivia.

Model T fords used a magneto ignition system. Part of getting it to work right was setting the gap on a set of points for each individual cylinder. The engine would rotated until that cylinder was engaged, and there would be a periodic spark discharge across the gap. The gap was set by adjusting it until it buzzed at a 'C' pitch, and a tuning fork was included in the tool kit that came with the car. Hence the origin of the term 'tuning up' the engine.

Cool. Never knew that.... thanks.