Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

The “Truefire” ignition system on my 26 T has failed for the 3rd time, so have decided to install a distributor as my car has no mag and no original coils. I have purchased a distributor with auto advance, that rotates in a clockwise direction. I would like to identify the type of distributor so that I can purchase spare points, cap, and rotor.
Also - my car has been converted to 12 volt. Should I use a ballasted coil, or put some resistance in the wire leading to the +ve side of the coil.
Any help or suggestions appreciated.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

VW bug type. I can't quite read the last number but looks to be a 009. I would just use a a good used Bosch coil. They are easy to find.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

Send me the whole number and I may be able tell you the year and model car it came from. My T came with 12 volts and and vw distributor, works great. I also have vw books from my time with them.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

Suggest that you take the whole distributor to the parts store. The hole in the side of the body where the wire comes out is different for different years.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

Those distributors are modified Volksbuggen Bosch 009 made by Performance T Parts of Dickinson, Texas. The business died with the owner several years ago.


The good news is that you can buy points, condenser and coils etc for those anywhere that VW bug parts are sold. The points, condenser and coils etc made in Germany are excellent. The ones made in China, Vietnam, Singapore, India, Mexico and Hong Kong fail quickly.


You need a ballast resistor for 12 volt Bosch coils.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

Thank you for your help. It is indeed a VW distributor and I have located spare points, condenser and rotor for it. I have obtained a ballasted coil.

A further question: Does anyone know what helical gears were used on the camshaft and on the bottom of the distributor shaft. Were these a stock item off another vehicle or were they specifically made?

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

Bill Rader of California also produced that type of accessory distributor and a spark linkage "bell-crank" was needed for proper operation due to rotation of the gears and No, the gears are not an "off the shelf" item.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

SNYDERS CARRYS THE GEARS:
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...tributor-timer

However the Texas T drive set is great if you can find them,they were shipped with a linkage rod based on the VW distributor being the incorrect rotation for the gear set, making it ok but just NOT right.(they welded up the mechanical advance) Both rotation gears were made by Bosch and i have bought some over the years.
We have used a 4 cylinder Mallory and cut it to fit the Texas T drive......

Cant beat a mechanical advance for a T properly set up. Just hit the starter and take off . A T like 20 degrees at 2000 rpm or so and a modified engine might even like a little more , my last one ran 30 degrees .......

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

Thank you for that information. As my car is a right hand drive ( Canadian built) , the control rods are quite different to those fitted to American cars. I have removed the auto advance mechanism from the distributor and have the points plate fixed. As well, I have made up a linkage to connect the advance/retard lever to the base of the distributor, so that is sorted.
However the helical gears on the bottom of the distributor shaft are showing wear on 4 teeth on one side, indicating that something is out of true.
I’ve checked the seating of the alloy case into the casting where the timer used to be, and it appears to seat well, with no movement. The extension shaft in the distributor drive is not bent, and the bearings are in good order with no play. I can only conclude that one or both gears are very slightly “out of round” causing the uneven wear on the drive gears.
Will the Texas T gear set fit this distributor set-up?
The rotation is clockwise looking down at the distributor. I’ve been told that the Texas T distributor rotates the opposite way, but have not seen one for myself.
Any comments really appreciated.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

If your gears are showing an off-set wear pattern, most likely the front timing gear cover is/was not "centered" to the block upon installation - there are/were 2 different timing cover centering gauges and the only correct one to use is the full sized one that fits precisely into the commutator/timer recess in the cover.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

The "newer" TTP distributors have reverse cut gears eliminating the need for a bell-crank and only uses a single spark rod as the original equipment did.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

Thank you for your comments.
The timing gear cover was replaced and centred when the True Fire ignition module was installed and the car has travelled several thousand miles in the interim. I believe the bronze gears are the problem, as the one on the distributor shaft has been drilled several times for the roll pin to secure it. I purchased the distributor s/h from a local member who I believe purchased it when he visited the Hershey Swap Meet several ( many?) years ago. He thought it unused.
I am now wondering if I should purchase a set of Texas T gears and try these.
Because my car is right hand drive, I need a bell crank (which IÂ’ve made up) to advance/retard the distributor. This would need to be slightly altered for the counter rotation of the TT distributor. The question is - will those gears fit?
Failing that, bite the bullet, and buy another complete TT distributor.
In the mean time replace the coil pack (for the 3rd time) in the True Fire to keep the car running.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

The original stuff is a lot more reliable than all of what you are suggesting. In the long run it is cheaper. You do it once, then you are done pretty much for the life of your Model T. Reliable as hell or taxes.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

You can buy these really great replacement coils from ebay for $5 each an they are so strong you can even set them up as wasted spark if you wanted to.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....2L._SX569_.jpg

They come in 6 volt. See? Fire just dandy when the timer wheel grounds them.

Re: Help wanted for T distributor identification
 

Bonus material.
https://i9.ytimg.com/vi/27JkMQVvW_I/...rJReTCD64RBg5Q

If you click on the picture you should find a basic video showing they function.