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-   -   Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351142)

busmania 07-31-2025 06:48 PM

Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Yall know I like my stromberg distributor but a while back when I was having issues everyone thought it was my stromberg so I bought an original crab distributor. After realizing my issue at the time was not my stromberg (it was the fuel pump) , I put the ford dizzy on the shelf. Well, now I’m bored and I want to try it (stromberg still running mostly strong but once the engine is heated up things get a little dicey and I feel like it misses a little. I’m back to wondering if it’s the stromberg.)

So, I have a few questions…

1. Where does the condenser mount? Photo?
2. Can I use my 50000 volt (or whatever the f it is) coil that I’m currently using on the stromberg or do I need something else?

I’ll post photos in a bit of what I’m working with. Another motivation for the switch is I want to run the original colored style wires. I think they look cool. Haha.

petehoovie 07-31-2025 07:01 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

If you're referring to a Stromberg E-Fire - No condenser

busmania 07-31-2025 07:19 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by petehoovie (Post 2403624)
If you're referring to a Stromberg E-Fire - No condenser

Sorry, I’m removing an efire, going to a stock unit.

petehoovie 07-31-2025 08:26 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

https://external-content.duckduckgo....97fb1bb45a0426
"Where does the condenser mount?" Photo

JayChicago 07-31-2025 09:52 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Re the coil. You sure don't need a high-output coil on a flathead.

Your coil should be chosen based on the resistance of the coil's primary winding. Needs to be appropriate for the ignition system on the car:
12 volt, use a 3 ohm coil
6 volt , use a 1.5 ohm coil
6 volt fed thru a ballast resistor (as per original), use a 0.8-1.0 ohm coil

busmania 07-31-2025 09:52 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

2 Attachment(s)
Pete, thanks!

Here’s what I’m working with. I’m probably just going to install it and see how it runs.

If anyone can help me in terms of my coil question, that would be great!

Attachment 571043

Attachment 571044

busmania 07-31-2025 09:53 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Jay, thank you. any recommendations on where and what coil to buy? I’ll do my homework next. Thank you everyone as always.

That said, I’m not trying to buy a bunch more stuff. This is more of an experiment. Will my fancy dancy high output coil work? Just to test things out.

big deuce 07-31-2025 10:14 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

If your on 12v, Bubba seemed to use and like the Bosch 00012 blue 3 ohm coil. That's what I plan to run on the crab.

petehoovie 07-31-2025 10:24 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by busmania (Post 2403649)
Pete, thanks!

Here’s what I’m working with. I’m probably just going to install it and see how it runs.

If anyone can help me in terms of my coil question, that would be great!

Attachment 571043

Attachment 571044

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1754016710

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1754016710

JayChicago 08-01-2025 01:01 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by busmania (Post 2403650)
That said, I’m not trying to buy a bunch more stuff. This is more of an experiment. Will my fancy dancy high output coil work? Just to test things out.

Yes, the coil you had with the Petronix distributor should work the same with a points distributor. But I could be wrong, not sure what Petronix specifies. To be sure, I would put an ohmmeter across the + and - terminals on the coil to see what that coil's primary winding resistance is.

cas3 08-01-2025 01:10 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

If that adapter plate is a Speedway item, check the fit. They often have to have a little bit filed off the square corner for the vacuum boss. It hits...I think one of the T cover bolts IIRC, any way take a look, you'll see it

Tim Ayers 08-01-2025 01:23 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

The coil for Petronix should be 1.5 ohms. Not sure what the ohms is for a stock one.

busmania 08-01-2025 04:41 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Speaking of vacuum. I assume I need to add it somewhere? Photos of vacuum line?

Petronix coil is indeed 1.5 ohm. If that doesn’t work, I do have a Bosch blue coil on the vw sitting next to the 40 that I can try too.

JayChicago 08-01-2025 06:08 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by busmania (Post 2403796)
Petronix coil is indeed 1.5 ohm. If that doesn’t work, I do have a Bosch blue coil on the vw sitting next to the 40 that I can try too.

If you are 12 volt, the 1.5 ohm coil will result in 8 amps going thru the points. Too much! Should be around 4 amps. Use the Bosch.

But put an ohmmeter on that Bosch coil. Bosch may have made 1.5 ohm coil for 6 volt VW's and painted it blue.

big deuce 08-01-2025 09:11 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

1 Attachment(s)
There is a vacuum line from the timing cover to intake. Here is a pic, but I have a crab dist on a '41 which was originally equipped with a helmet distributor. The metal tube is longer, I need to shorten it if I were to use a stock intake. I will be using an Edmunds 2x2 which doesn't have a port on the drivers side. Just need to find a vacuum source. If I remember correctly, the fitting into the timing cover is a special fitting. Third Gen sells the line, but it's 34-41.

busmania 08-01-2025 09:46 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

This whole vacuum thing has me wanting to re think my experiment and say forget it. Haha. Seems complicated. Looking at my timing cover (original 40) there is no place for a vacuum line? If that’s the case, where do I plug vacuum into?

I also am running an Edmund’s 2x2 intake.

big deuce 08-01-2025 09:52 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

1 Attachment(s)
Since your using a 3 bolt to 2 bolt adapter, the port is on the end of the adapter. The Edmunds may have a port elsewhere on the intake.

big deuce 08-01-2025 10:03 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Pipe thread hole between carbs

petehoovie 08-01-2025 10:08 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by big deuce (Post 2403863)
There is a vacuum line from the timing cover to intake. Here is a pic, but I have a crab dist on a '41 which was originally equipped with a helmet distributor. The metal tube is longer, I need to shorten it if I were to use a stock intake. I will be using an Edmunds 2x2 which doesn't have a port on the drivers side. Just need to find a vacuum source. If I remember correctly, the fitting into the timing cover is a special fitting. Third Gen sells the line, but it's 34-41.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1754100545

petehoovie 08-01-2025 10:09 PM

Re: Installing a 42-48 crab dizzy
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by big deuce (Post 2403868)
Since your using a 3 bolt to 2 bolt adapter, the port is on the end of the adapter. The Edmunds may have a port elsewhere on the intake.

"Pipe thread hole between carbs"
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1754103781


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