The Ford Barn

WardAZ · 06-04-2011, 02:43 PM

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wrndln · 06-04-2011, 02:51 PM

I believe the reason for the insulating washer is to prevent possible shorting to the housing. It probably isn't needed if you can make sure the area is shorted to the housing.

bobpo · 06-04-2011, 02:55 PM

Although I don't know the purpose of this particular application, Phenolic Washers are generally used to resist heat and wear, usually against metal. I don't know how this applies in your case. Just a shot in the dark......

Brentwood Bob · 06-04-2011, 03:08 PM

Cooler condenser? bob

Marco Tahtaras · 06-04-2011, 04:42 PM

All the insulator does is make it more "bullet proof". For example, I'm sure you've seen where some folks screw the ignition cable too deep into the distributor and ground out the bus bar so there is no spark. I don't believe this can occur with the insulator in place. It's important to note that this type of problem is more likely with a reproduction bus bar/lower plate assembly as they are not only more flimsy but the bus bar end tab is positioned closer (as if longer) to the inside housing. A restored original assembly is nearly bullet proof (almost idiot proof) even without the insulator.

With your experience you won't have any problems without the insulator.

Tom Wesenberg · 06-05-2011, 06:45 AM

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WARNING:
If you remove the insulating washer, make sure the screw won't be so long that it bottoms out in the condenser before the buss bar is tight to the condenser terminal. If the screw bottoms out first then the brass terminal can turn in the conderser and you'll need to replace the conderser. Even if the condenser terminal doesn't spin, a loose connection to the buss bar won't be good.

06-04-2011, 02:43 PM	#1
WardAZ BANNED Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Arid-zona Posts: 20	Is this phenol washer in the distributor necessary?? ... Last edited by WardAZ; 01-15-2017 at 12:09 PM.

06-04-2011, 02:51 PM	#2
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,165	Re: Is this phenol washer in the distributor necessary?? I believe the reason for the insulating washer is to prevent possible shorting to the housing. It probably isn't needed if you can make sure the area is shorted to the housing.

06-04-2011, 02:55 PM	#3
bobpo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 556	Re: Is this phenol washer in the distributor necessary?? Although I don't know the purpose of this particular application, Phenolic Washers are generally used to resist heat and wear, usually against metal. I don't know how this applies in your case. Just a shot in the dark......

06-04-2011, 03:08 PM	#4
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,248	Re: Is this phenol washer in the distributor necessary?? Cooler condenser? bob

06-04-2011, 04:42 PM	#5
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: Is this phenol washer in the distributor necessary?? All the insulator does is make it more "bullet proof". For example, I'm sure you've seen where some folks screw the ignition cable too deep into the distributor and ground out the bus bar so there is no spark. I don't believe this can occur with the insulator in place. It's important to note that this type of problem is more likely with a reproduction bus bar/lower plate assembly as they are not only more flimsy but the bus bar end tab is positioned closer (as if longer) to the inside housing. A restored original assembly is nearly bullet proof (almost idiot proof) even without the insulator. With your experience you won't have any problems without the insulator. __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

06-05-2011, 06:45 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Is this phenol washer in the distributor necessary?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) WARNING: If you remove the insulating washer, make sure the screw won't be so long that it bottoms out in the condenser before the buss bar is tight to the condenser terminal. If the screw bottoms out first then the brass terminal can turn in the conderser and you'll need to replace the conderser. Even if the condenser terminal doesn't spin, a loose connection to the buss bar won't be good.