The Ford Barn

grumppyoldman · 07-29-2017, 03:49 PM

When you pull your dist. off what is the correct way to do it so it goes back on in the correct position to be in time?Al

RobR'35 · 07-29-2017, 03:52 PM

It can only go on one way.
The tab or bar on the distributor shaft is off set.
As is the cam shaft.

Brian · 07-29-2017, 04:18 PM

Just start the three bolts that attach distributor to front of engine sufficient to hold dissy in place. Reach through one of the side openings and, whilst pushing dissy towards rear of car, turn the rotor. When its in the right place, the tang on dissy will engage with slot in end of camshaft, the whole dissy will move back, you'll know when it;s engaged, simply hold distributor in that place whilst you tighten up the three bolts. It's taken me longer to type this than it would to perform the above operation.

grumppyoldman · 07-29-2017, 04:32 PM

Thanks very much, that makes it a lot easier than the other dist. I've done. Never had one off a flathead, even though I've owned several over the years. Al

V8COOPMAN · 07-29-2017, 04:39 PM

The one pictured below is a 2-bolt design, but the OFFSET tang (like yours) on the distributor drive that lines-up with the slot in the front of the cam is clearly evident. DD

MGG · 07-29-2017, 07:44 PM

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I made two temporary studs the same size as the distributor bolts, which I install finger tight so that they stick out about 3/4 of an inch. (I knurled the ends so they are easier to turn with greasy fingers.) Then, I can easily slip on the gasket and it will stay in place while I line up the distributor and install the first bolt in the remaining hole, finger tight. Then I remove a stud and insert a bolt, remove the last stud and insert the last bolt. Tighten up all three bolts and I'm done.

grumppyoldman · 07-30-2017, 04:43 PM

Again thanks for the info., I want to check the points and bushings while Skip has my coil. If it looks like it needs some work I'll send it to Bubba. Al

Veeder · 07-30-2017, 05:29 PM

Just a side note -- I have spent way to much time recently dealing with the distributor on my car but at the end of the day the design of this distributor is pretty incredible.

grumppyoldman · 07-31-2017, 11:32 PM

Took it off this afternoon, found point spring broken on #1 side. Looks a little dirty, going to Bubbas after I talk with him. Al

FireEngineMike · 08-01-2017, 08:50 AM

Wish I had Brian's and MGG's tips before I reinstalled my distributor a couple years ago. Probably obvious to everyone but me. Jim will fix you up and there will be one less thing to make you grumpy.

grumppyoldman · 08-01-2017, 11:36 AM

It's on it's way to Bubbas, I'm not really Grumppy just old. Got my axle changed out and ready to go. Was checking brakes when it started acting up. Parked it to check it out and it just died. Sent coil to Skip and dist. to Bubbas, hope it runs when all is installed. Al
PS I would not have found parts or repair services if it were not for FB folks, Thanks Guys.

07-29-2017, 03:52 PM	#2
RobR'35 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Upper Peninsula, Michigan Posts: 604	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford It can only go on one way. The tab or bar on the distributor shaft is off set. As is the cam shaft.

07-29-2017, 04:18 PM	#3
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,834	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford Just start the three bolts that attach distributor to front of engine sufficient to hold dissy in place. Reach through one of the side openings and, whilst pushing dissy towards rear of car, turn the rotor. When its in the right place, the tang on dissy will engage with slot in end of camshaft, the whole dissy will move back, you'll know when it;s engaged, simply hold distributor in that place whilst you tighten up the three bolts. It's taken me longer to type this than it would to perform the above operation. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

07-29-2017, 04:32 PM	#4
grumppyoldman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 727	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford Thanks very much, that makes it a lot easier than the other dist. I've done. Never had one off a flathead, even though I've owned several over the years. Al

07-29-2017, 04:39 PM	#5
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,114	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford The one pictured below is a 2-bolt design, but the OFFSET tang (like yours) on the distributor drive that lines-up with the slot in the front of the cam is clearly evident. DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

07-29-2017, 07:44 PM	#6
MGG Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Oregon City, OR Posts: 285	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I made two temporary studs the same size as the distributor bolts, which I install finger tight so that they stick out about 3/4 of an inch. (I knurled the ends so they are easier to turn with greasy fingers.) Then, I can easily slip on the gasket and it will stay in place while I line up the distributor and install the first bolt in the remaining hole, finger tight. Then I remove a stud and insert a bolt, remove the last stud and insert the last bolt. Tighten up all three bolts and I'm done.

07-29-2017, 03:49 PM	#1
grumppyoldman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 727	Helmet distributor on 41 ford When you pull your dist. off what is the correct way to do it so it goes back on in the correct position to be in time?Al

07-30-2017, 04:43 PM	#7
grumppyoldman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 727	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford Again thanks for the info., I want to check the points and bushings while Skip has my coil. If it looks like it needs some work I'll send it to Bubba. Al

07-30-2017, 05:29 PM	#8
Veeder Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: CT Posts: 394	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford Just a side note -- I have spent way to much time recently dealing with the distributor on my car but at the end of the day the design of this distributor is pretty incredible.

07-31-2017, 11:32 PM	#9
grumppyoldman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 727	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford Took it off this afternoon, found point spring broken on #1 side. Looks a little dirty, going to Bubbas after I talk with him. Al

08-01-2017, 08:50 AM	#10
FireEngineMike Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Webster, NY Posts: 215	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford Wish I had Brian's and MGG's tips before I reinstalled my distributor a couple years ago. Probably obvious to everyone but me. Jim will fix you up and there will be one less thing to make you grumpy.

08-01-2017, 11:36 AM	#11
grumppyoldman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 727	Re: Helmet distributor on 41 ford It's on it's way to Bubbas, I'm not really Grumppy just old. Got my axle changed out and ready to go. Was checking brakes when it started acting up. Parked it to check it out and it just died. Sent coil to Skip and dist. to Bubbas, hope it runs when all is installed. Al PS I would not have found parts or repair services if it were not for FB folks, Thanks Guys.