Clear Distributor Cap
 

Anyone seen one of these for sale of late? I'd love to have one or two, but none of the vendors seem to have them

Does anyone have any extras they'd be willing to sell?

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Like this? Not for sale tho! Paid $$$ for it years ago on ebay. But if you want to just see your spark you can make one by cutting away sides of a cap !

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Yes, like that. But I don't want to cut away a cap.

Thanks

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1630105632

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1630105632
Gary's Clear Distributor Cap - notice that has the FORD Script?

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

They were an older reproduction. Haven't been made in a while.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

But would be easy to do.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I have some,but they've turned yellow and opaque.The cutaway one really works better anyway.If you cut one down,get a new one and cut it.The old ones tend to shatter when you try to cut them.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Why would you need a clear distributor cap? Just curious

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I have a clear cap bought many years ago, also have a cut cap. It's a real kick to watch those sparks fly at night.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

The clear cap or cutaway cap are really just for curiosity, nothing diagnostic can really be done with them. I guess you could see if the distributor body had a short in it though.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Don't bother. They don't last very long.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Bet they could be made in a 3D printer

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Probably - they are making some pretty cool things these days with them. You would need to do the carbon contact and the brass part on the inside your self though.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

These folks are amazing. I never would have thought to cut a cap like this to see inside a running car. This is an A+++ shade-tree idea. Thanks.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

The kids really enjoy seeing the sparks!! Good for checking for carbon tracking in the distributor body also.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Man, I remember seeing on of those cut down around 1970 on a Model-A Texas Tour on a Coupe owned by Jake Westmoreland. He and his brother Pete were some fantastic mechanics.

The thing that made me remember this was he could make his Coupe start on compression. In other words, just turn the key and without pressing the starter switch the ignition spark would start the engine igniting the fuel on top of the TDC piston.

I was too naïve to understand all about it then but in retrospect some 40-50 years later, I am guessing he had a multiple spark discharge box hidden up behind the firewall which allowed him to get those "free-starts". That is probably why he had the distributor cap cut like that so he could show off the multiple sparks onto the distributor body terminals. Very little today on a Model-A that is 'new' news, ...as many good mechanics have thought-up most of this in years past.

FWIW, back 50 years ago at a Model-A event (tour, club meeting, swap meet, etc.) the amount of great craftsmen that would sit down together and share information makes Fordbarn seem pale by comparison. Most all of us today would love to be a part of one of those 'meetings' back then.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I thought of the 3D printer idea but most people familiar with 3D printers say the piece would not hold up and probably wouldn't work anyway.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I have several clear caps NOS. Great fun both at night and for education.
clem

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Picture gluing a clear thread together over and over. That is what 3D printing would look like. The solution type of 3D printer might work. But who's going to program it? To make a few it would be easy to make a mold and cast it.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

A few years ago, "Mikes" made a run of them and sold them as a special. Maybe he still has a few.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Russ,


please tell me who is /where I can found "Mikes".

Thanks in advance!

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

When I was a kid, I had a 1972 MonteCarlo. Those were all the rage. Then I talked with a guy at work about 40 yrs old. Gary was quite knowledgable about cars, and used parts. He told me "don't get one. they draw dampness for some reason, and your car eventually will not start". Sure it's cool, but only put it on for show. Reliability. I asked around, and heard the same story from other people.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I am not sure you are talking about the clear or cut away, at any rate I think both are cool and could be trouble shooting assistance. When it comes to dampness it doesn't matter as they can be changed back in 15 seconds. A new solid cap is less than $5.00 - I'm going to cut one away for the heck of it and have fun.

Thanks, John

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I agree with John, and about 20 years ago I made my own clear cap by using a piece of thick Plexiglass. It makes a good diagnostic tool.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

All you need to do is scan an original.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I remember those clear distributer caps for modern cars,well they were modern in the late 60's when I saw them.They also sold red-clear plug wires.When the car was running the plug wires looked like modern LED light strings.I had a 59 Valiant in the early 90's that still had them on it.Fun to watch at night.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I have some for sale. $10 bucks plus postage.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Hi Clem,

i would like to have one piece please. If possible with "Ford"-script. Do you sell/ship to Germany? I would like to pay via PayPal please.


@ Bob, thank you for explanation.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Well, you can use it to diagnose when the capacitor starts to go bad.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Nu-Rex supplies a cutaway cap with their timing kit and recommends using a timing light strobe to observe the rotor action:
I have one but I haven't had time to set it up yet to see how useful it is.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Good evening at all.


Unfortunately, I couldn't find anyone who sells a transparent manifold cover. Creating a file for 3-D part printing is too expansiv. So I now tried to cast it by myself from epoxy resin.

I made the mold from two-component silicone rubber for third dentures from the original lid.

Unfortunately, the first attempt did not work. I had filled too less casting resin, too less vent holes on the upside mold and used an unsuitable wax for separation.

No. # 2 has been cast in the mean time and must now cure in the mold. I will report.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I admire this kind of commitment.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Danke für Dein Lob! -




The second attempt is successful, not very good but good; there are still some tiny air bubbles visible.

The next step is to insert an electric current carbon inside with some stepped brass sleeves.

I will report back.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Good morning!


In the meantime, my clear distributor cap is largely finished.

Patiently, the current lead through had to be tricky. From 4 short brass tubes I soldered the gradation for the sliding carbon contact and the ignition cable.
Sensitive was the filing of the central contact carbon alienated from a 'Walton' horn in a small square and round pin.

This is more watchmaker work than for a long stroke cast iron engine mechanic!

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I admire your persistent determination! Now, can you make a hundred of them and sell them for 5 dollars? Just kidding, great work!

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

May i ask you why you said this? Creating the 3D-files is free of charge?

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

Hi',


in the meantime, I have tested the transparent cover several times. Great disappointment was that the spark jumps are very mild and barely visible.
Joy was to recognize by it, that the condenser and the plugs resistors are in order.

On a trial basis, I increased the electrode gap considerably on one spark plug and this could be seen well on the distributor contact.

In short: The glass cover is not a toy, because with a little experience quite suitable for engine diagnosis.



Cologne; don't understand your shortquestion.

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I'm wondering, why the tie wire on the distributor body terminals?

Re: Clear Distributor Cap
 

I have a cut away side cover and was also disappointed in spark size - much more obvious at night.

John