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Old 06-30-2025, 07:24 AM   #1
Panheadguy
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Default Centrifugal advance distributor

Wanting to ad centrifugal advance so wife can drive and not worry about manually adjusting. I have a Honda Civic points distributor I modified to fit.
Want to keep reverse polarity as original. Can I wire the armored cable to the terminal on the distributor and leave everything as is?
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Old 06-30-2025, 08:18 AM   #2
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

If mechanical points and not an electronic condensor, then yes. If electronic ignition then no.

It is not hard to change polarity. Since the battery is hidden under the floor boards, you will be the only one to know.
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Old 06-30-2025, 08:39 AM   #3
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

I would guess if it is electronic it would also be 12 volt?
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Old 06-30-2025, 08:49 AM   #4
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

Another thing to be concerned about is the advance curve. That will depend on whether you have a stock or higher compression head and other things. You don't want to have the timing too advanced or the engine will eat connecting rod bearings.
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Old 06-30-2025, 08:52 AM   #5
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

It is a points dist. Are you suggesting I would need to reverse polarity? I was hoping to leave it pos ground to not affect charging.
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Old 06-30-2025, 08:54 AM   #6
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

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It's all stock. I will see what advance the distributor has and limit it. I think I read 29' is about the max?
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Old 06-30-2025, 09:23 AM   #7
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

Quote:
Originally Posted by Panheadguy View Post
I have a Honda Civic points distributor I modified to fit
What year(s) would that be?
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Old 06-30-2025, 09:49 AM   #8
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

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Originally Posted by Panheadguy View Post
It is a points dist. Are you suggesting I would need to reverse polarity? I was hoping to leave it pos ground to not affect charging.

You can use it pos ground no problem. The points dist doesn't care.
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Old 06-30-2025, 10:15 AM   #9
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

In a nutshell, the Honda Civic points distributor’s advance curve full advance will come in at a much higher rpm. I don’t have exact numbers. For example max advance on the Honda engine will be in the neighborhood of ~ 4500 rpm. Whereas you want the Model A engine to be at full advance ~2000 rpm.

To accomplish this will need manipulation of the bob weight springs or the bob weights themselves. Also need a means to verify. Can be done in the car with a timing light setup. Ideal setup would be with the distributor mounted in a distributor machine.

Last edited by AzBob; 06-30-2025 at 10:20 AM.
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Old 06-30-2025, 10:16 AM   #10
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

Is it made to turn CCW. If not the advance won't work right. You will need to check total advance around 2k engine rpm.
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Old 06-30-2025, 10:26 AM   #11
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

Corley has done the Honda Civic distributor conversion a while ago and is considered the guru for this conversion. See link here:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244492
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Old 06-30-2025, 10:55 AM   #12
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

I have a FS disributer in my A , its 12 volts negitve ground , ita also ,centrifugal advance , and electronic, it works good, and has given me no trouble
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Old 06-30-2025, 11:27 AM   #13
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

Pan Head Guy, I was just suggesting that changing the polarity would be easy, IF NEEDED. Since it is mechanical points, positive ground is just fine. The only other polarity consideration is if the condensor is the electronic type, made using semiconductors. But I have never seen that on a car and it would probably not work because the ignition system rings, with positive and negative voltage on the condensor.
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Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die.
Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
My car grows red hair, and flies through the air.
Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.
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Old 06-30-2025, 12:10 PM   #14
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

NKAMINAR, Thanks for chiming in with short concise info. Yup std. old shiny metal condenser, was more concerned with how the charging system reacts to reverse polarity.
Getting this heap read for the 4th of July parade. I did reach out to Corley but have not heard back from him.
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Old 06-30-2025, 12:11 PM   #15
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

He favors the electronic Honda dist. which is happy at 12v.
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Old 06-30-2025, 12:12 PM   #16
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

It does turn CCW
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Old 06-30-2025, 12:17 PM   #17
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
What year(s) would that be?
I think '78....but some of the ones I saw in that era were different where they mounted, I picked one with points that looked right. Inthe past I have used CJ2A Willys Jeep distributors but on 12V and they are getting $
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Old 06-30-2025, 03:14 PM   #18
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

It may be easier to get a Nu-Rex Auto Advancer. The advance is already setup for the Model A. Then you can use your original distributor and everything will look stock.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/8...htm?pid=976340

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 07-01-2025 at 11:10 AM.
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Old 06-30-2025, 03:38 PM   #19
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

I sure would like to hear from anyone that has the Nu-Rex setup in their engine and how does it perform? Lastly, how many miles have you driven with it installed? Is it worth buying?
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Old 07-01-2025, 09:47 AM   #20
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Default Re: Centrifugal advance distributor

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Originally Posted by Cape Codder View Post
I sure would like to hear from anyone that has the Nu-Rex setup in their engine and how does it perform? Lastly, how many miles have you driven with it installed? Is it worth buying?
I do have one in my Town Sedan. Edit: I(t was) installed before I bought the car ~10 years ago. I have never had a issue with it. I set my timing for full advance at 28° BTDC. I have a high compression head.

For more info, check out this article on Vince's Ford Garage.

https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/nurexadvance.htm

https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/phillipsspark.htm

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 07-01-2025 at 10:09 AM.
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