Dual distributors
 

How's this?? And it works,

Re: Dual distributors
 

Ron, I am sure it works, however most fire the plugs at the exact time ( i have synced a few of these) but in reality it does nothing.
I have yet to see and dyno numbers showing even a fraction of a horsepower increase.....However it does look mean !!!

Re: Dual distributors
 

I see a lot of blue tape on those wires with numbers on them. You don't have these all memorized by now, LOL.

Re: Dual distributors
 

What coil are you using with that? Is it six or 12 volt?

Re: Dual distributors
 

It would give redundancy for boats or aircraft. If one system quits the other is still working. On aircraft, it actually does make a tiny bit of difference in power but they have hemispherical chambers too. Elco heads and a few others were popular for hydroplane racing back in the day.

The mags are checked for proper drop off in rpm prior to each flight. Normal drop off in rpm is 150 to 200 rpm at 2000 to 2500 rpm engine speed depending on normal operating rpm of each engine.

Re: Dual distributors
 

An approximate 10% drop-off in RPM is significant! To me that indicates a very inefficient combustion chamber design. Are piston aircraft engines still using these 1930's designs?

Re: Dual distributors
 

Not a good idea to use a set screw digging into the side of the distributor housings to hold things in place that kind of drops aluminum in to the oil. Not a very good set up for economy.

Re: Dual distributors
 

How about two Harman Collins dual coils, with 4 coils

Re: Dual distributors
 

The left and right mag's are checked individually for drop off by turning off the opposing mag. So one could show drop off and the other none.
And the drop off could be the result of bad plugs for that mag and in need of service.

Re: Dual distributors
 

The planes I have flown show a drop in rpm with either mag switched off. This is on new engines, so not a plug issue.

Re: Dual distributors
 

Aesthetics play a big roll in a system like this. You can't compare it to an aircraft engine. In theory, the secondary distributor should fire a few degrees after the primary to reduce the length of the flame front. In this case all we wanted to do was make an inexpensive way of doing it. I made a vertical distributor timing cover about 20 years ago, and knew this would work, we just had to figgerit out. once the angles had been figger out he just welled up to cast iron covers. If I can figger out how to post any more pics I'll post the construction and gearing . As for how it runs. So far the car isn't reaady for the road, but is driveable, and BVubba is right, the engine runs the same weather on one or both dists. Again It looks great and didn't cost much. And Ron one of those distributors is yours.

Re: Dual distributors
 

I always mount a block to the front cover so a stud and fork can be used clamp to hold them in place. Makes fine tuning much easier.

Re: Dual distributors
 

I have 3 sets of these & they came from European ford flatheads

Re: Dual distributors
 

They are 4 cylinder scintilla mags

Re: Dual distributors
 

I like your setup Ron just love unique flathead ignition systems

Re: Dual distributors
 

This was the harrd part

Re: Dual distributors
 

I have spoken with the guy who makes these several times. He is from downunder and has a video showing these things in action. I think he did a hell of a job. As to increased performance, who cares? If you're running a fully dressed flathead, you are chasing looks, not performance.

Re: Dual distributors
 

The cars manufactured in modern time with dual plugs had it for emission reasons.
Plugs firing after each other to increase duration of spark.
So you just invented the Eco Flathead !

Re: Dual distributors
 

Well, if the only thing you can find wrong with the system is the way the distributors are held in place is a grub screw. I consider that to be the best compliment I've received in years. Now, I didn't make this one, I worked with a friend and was going to make one from an aftermarket unit. He decided to weld up a few cast iron ones. I'm very proud of that shows alittle ingenuity that kept the cost down even further. So I guess I don't have to worry about posting pictures and more.

Re: Dual distributors
 

I like it ! It shows ingenuity and craftsmanship (cast iron is hard to weld).
As for increased performance the jury is still out but I am pretty sure that it might prevent a loss of performance through redundancy.
Anyway that is what hot rodders do and I think it's cool.
Keep on experimenting Ron, it's great for the hobby.