Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

Is one better then the other ? Why the different versions and is one more desirable?

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

Personally, I prefer the iron bodied unit. For one, the bore of the piston brake plunger is lined with a bronze bush

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

Steel was generally used on commercial ( truck) engines
Aluminium generally passenger cars.

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

Interesting

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

I usually see the cast iron ones in military surplus boxes. The bushing for the piston is nice.

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

Pulled a cast iron one out of a truck at the local junk yard some years ago. Just had Bubba rebuild it this spring and I'm running it now. He really likes the cast units.

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

I have two aluminum and a cast. Presently the cast is installed and so far so good.

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

Cast was 1942 cars and trucks.

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

The cast iron distributors are the way to go the bronze bush in the vacuum brake gives a better reading to the worn aluminium vacuum brake housing. Every aluminium distributor i have worked on I have found the vacuum brake housing is worn and this applies to the early bell types too, more than the cast iron housing with the bush which could be replaced if necessary to give the piston better sealing.

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

Can't be too hard to bore and install a bushing in the alum ones.

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

Interesting reading and good to know. Thanks to all for the excellent replies

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

Fred hit the nail on the head, bore/hone the aluminum one, install a bronze bushing.

Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor
 

It would be a good idea, thats if you could buy bushes to fit.