Modern distributor cap
 

Is there a difference in performance of the modern style distributor cap and wires versus the original cap and bronze spark plug connectors?

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Quite a bit of difference. With the modern cap the engine won't misfire when it gets wet, modern wires won't emit huge amounts of RFI when the car is running.



Frank

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

But the modern caps just dont look right to me.

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

I prefer the original distributor cap , first for the original look . The gaps can be measured between the rotor tip and the 4 contacts in the distributor cap . The 4 contacts can be filed for equal gaps at all four contacts in the original cap . I consider equal gaps as part of a tune up . I prefer a gap of .035 between the rotor tip and the contacts in the cap for equal and hotter spark at all cylinders . Measuring gaps at the rotor tip isn't possible with the modern style distributor cap .

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Thanks guys. I agree with the original look and honestly I hadn’t thought about the ability to check and adjust the gaps. If there is/was a significant performance increase, I was thinking about going with the modern cap and wires. Stay safe.

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Maybe the worry about setting air gaps is not as important with modern caps? How often to you see info about people setting air gaps on later V8 or any car up to electronic ignition?

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Just thinking,,, if electricity travels at roughly 11, 628 inches per second how long does it take for the spark to jump .025 or .035?

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

While it is possible to measure and adjust air gaps with the original model A or B distributor caps, I don't see how measuring air gaps would be possible with a modern style distributor cap .

Air gap distance won't make a day and night difference in performance but there does need to be air gaps for the spark to jump . Ford recommended gaps of twenty five thousands at the rotor tip . More gap to a certain point will increase spark intensity . I set mine at thirty five thousands . I believe that equal size air gaps at the rotor tip will send equal spark to each cylinder for better performance .

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

I like putting a clear distributor cap on the distributor body. At night the little ones like to see the "sparklers". You can't do that with a modern distributor cap. :p:p

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Someone made up a Model A distributor body (the bakelite part) entire. A one-off I think. I'd like one of those.

Sort of like painting the engine red - proven to make the car go faster.

Joe K

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Who sells the modern style distributor cap and wires ?? Thank you !

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Snyder's has them. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...-a/distributor

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

If the original style distributor cap body and cap was made as one part , you would lose the ability to measure and adjust the air gaps . I've used and found NO advantage to a modern style distributor cap when used with the original model A distributor .

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

No difference in performance.

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Maybe no better but to use some heads like my Lion Speed, you have to go with the modern style cap and wires

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Mikes was selling the “A” style cap that could be used with modern cables.

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

I have an original style cap and have driven long miles in the rain and never had an engine miss from the bronze spark plug connectors.

John

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

I have one of those on my engine. They are made by Renner’s Corner which is where I bought mine. Works / looks great. Best of both worlds??

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

Back in the '60's I had a clear modern cap. You could watch the rotor spin and points break.

Re: Modern distributor cap
 

They just don't look the same.....
That's the thing, The time for the coil to build up enough juice to jump the gap is measurable. I've never measured it myself, but when i was making electronic ignition, if the gap was too wide i needed 12ms of coil activation time versus 2ms for normal plugs.

And all the clear cap comments make me wonder how hard it'd be to make a mould and cast one in resin.