Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

I have a C59A block which came with the crab style dizzy, but for aesthetic reasons I want to switch to the orig helmet style. I assume I need a different cam cover. Anything else I would need?

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

Probably need one of the buttons or spacers that fit between the cam and distributor ,otherwise the helmet distributor will not reach the end of the cam.

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

The divers helmet type was used on the earlier engines up through 1941. The later distributors are two bolt instead of three so the timing cover is different. There were adapters but I don't know if they went both ways. Is this for a later engine in an earlier car?

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

Thanks. I'll see if I can locate the adapter.


The engine will be used for a custom build. Will try to "replicate" Richard Scaldwell's GN JAP creation using the Ford Flathead.

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

Just the adapter button won't do it. You will need both the timing cover and the adapter button. You'll need the top half of a new rope seal for the timing cover also. Remove the radiator for easy access, you'll be glad you did.

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

Like many things post-war, varation raged. My 46 has the two-lead (or rabbit) disty as I'm certain others did as well. [edited for clarity]

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

I just looked at the entry on "The Olde Motor" about Richard Scaldwell's GN JAP creation.
You better post us pix of your project when you get done!
WAY cool!!

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

The post war cars has been referred to in several ways but generally not "helmet" type. 59A type, pancake V, or rabbit ear cap among others. A lot of folks converted them to the crab type single piece 21A cap & rotor back in the 60s & 70s when parts were hard to source for the two part cap. The fan for the post war cars was set up for the flat type in most cases.

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

As the guys have already mentioned, you will need a 3 bolt timing gear cover, and a spacer/adapter button as shown below, assuming no one has changed from what's known as a short cam with bolt on timing gear, to to a long cam with a press on type timing gear which would not need the spacer.

Note: there are different configuration spacer/adapter buttons available besides the one I show here. Another version requires pinning the adapter to the off center tongue on the back of the distributor shaft.

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

Depending on how you plan to run your spark plug wires, you might need wire looms also. And would love to see pics of the build also. Wicked looking engine. Mike

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

We’ve got the 3 bolt timing covers in NOS stock and we carry all the various adapters if needed. Ordinarily, the 59 type engine would have the short snout camshaft so you’d need the little spacer button to fill the gap, assuming you replaced the timing cover with the 3 bolt type. Assuming the motor has the short snout cam of course.......

Re: Crab style to helmet style dizzy
 

Excellent. Thanks for all the great info. Cam has bolt on timing gear. I like the the steel wire holders. It is a thing of beauty to see how well the layout was executed. Need to start gathering parts. The