For what it is worth-distributor problem solved-I think

[Fred K-OR]

In a recent thread I high jacked, I talked about the problems of my distributor giving me problems in my Huckster. The thread was https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170396s: post #13. Anyway, I through I should start a new thread to explain in more detail what I found and what I "think" was the problem.

What I found was that when I installed the points, I did not use the insulating washer under the nut that holds the points in place. And I think the nut was not tight enough and I did not bend the clip on the wire against the nut to hold it. So what I "think" happen was that the clip on the wire rotated just a bit when I moved the spark lever up and down to contact the rivet that held the insulation for the point bolt in place on the upper plate. After looking at a picture that Tom W had posted on one of his posts, I could see where I had neglected to install this washer.

Being I know little about rebuilding a distributor, this is the only thing I could see was the problem. I had installed all new replaceable parts in the unit so the wire, points, etc. should have been OK.

I am sure some of you that know more about this subject can join in and give some more info on this subject. But I thought I would just give my guess as to what was wrong with the distributor. The proof will be when I do some more driving and see how things work.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Everyone should have an old extra distributor, taken apart & layin' in a box on your work bench. Then occasionally study its parts & see if you can assemble it properly, with the help of an EXPLODED view, ripped out uf an old parts catalog. We tend to sometimes FORGET whut its' INNARDS look like.
AND, DON'T forget to look for thet point pivot post, that gits WOBBLY & needs to be re-staked tighter, at its' bottom end! (TAP-TAP-TAP) This is a COMMON problem, BOTH of mine were LOOSE! Thet looseness causes FUNNY rubbing block wear & the point contact is all CATTYWAAMPUS!! (SP?)
Bill W.

[Spokes]

Thanks Bill W. Good to remember.

[29er]

Hey Fred! Thanks for the update. I was wondering whether you'd gotten farther with your distributor problem. It's alway educational to get "the rest of the story" (remember Paul Harvey?).

Anyway, we must be on the same wave-length, because I have been rebuilding a distributor to take along with me as a spare (thanks to Tom Endy for that idea!) and have been boning up on the subject. Tom has a very informative article about rebuilding and servicing distributors. Here's a link to it:

http://modelabasics.com/ignition/Dis...echniques.pdf\

Look especially on page 3; the paragraph labeled "Testing". It describes a simple bench test to see whether there is a short like the one you suspect. I think a common place for a short to occur is as you describe: between the bent terminal flag of the pigtail wire and either a rivet on the underside of the upper plate or the spring.

Maybe I'll describe my distributor (mis)adventures in a separate thread. I've learned a great deal from my many mistakes!

Mike

[SeaSlugs]

Yes, every A'er should have a spare distributor to tinker with. I bought at an auction 3 small lots of pure model A distributor parts (and a few other odds and ends), have about 4 bodies in good shape and oodles of upper and lower plate configurations, condensors, nuts points, etc. best part is they were only $15 total for all 3 lots!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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At club meetings, we could have a contest, assembling distributors! Them OOOLD FOLKS will do ANYTHING that has CASH PRIZES! It would be a RIOT if one of the LADIES WON the LOOT!!!
Bill W.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

At club meetings, we could have a contest, assembling distributors! Them OOOLD FOLKS will do ANYTHING that has CASH PRIZES! It would be a RIOT if one of the LADIES WON the LOOT!!!
Bill W.

haha i can see this, but the kicker is it has to be placed in a test engine and RAN!

[Rex_A_Lott]

Glad to hear you figured it out!

[Fred K-OR]

Thanks guys. I hope I have figured it out because the distributor in the rig is going to be the one I use when going to NWRM later this month. Have got to do some test driving before then to make sure. I also rebuilt two other ones but have not tested them completely yet.

Mike, could not get the post by Tom E. For some reason it would not pick up for me.

[Rex_A_Lott]

Glad to hear you figured it out!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

PLEASE, everyone remember, only screw your cable into the distributor by 2 or 3 threads---If screwed in too far, it'll ground out the connector plate inside the distributor. YES, I know it won't "look" RIGHT, but thet's how Ol' Hank designed it!! And don't wurry about it vibrating & comin' UNSCREWED, it WON'T!! (We ALL know thet Model A's DON'T VIBRATE) HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!! (I think the Dog jist WET himself!!!)
Bill W.

[Tony S,Fl.]

If you have a extra distributor don't just put it in the trunk. install it and time it. Then when you need it just drop it in and your ready to go. Tony

[29er]

Fred: Try the link below from the Santa Ana "A's"; Under "Electrical" look for the article, "Distributor Restoration Techniques. Then see the last page for the bench test to check for shorts.

http://www.santaanitaas.org/technica...tech-articles/

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by 29er

Fred: Try the link below from the Santa Ana "A's"; Under "Electrical" look for the article, "Distributor Restoration Techniques. Then see the last page for the bench test to check for shorts.

http://www.santaanitaas.org/technica...tech-articles/

Thanks, found it.

[Fred K-OR]

Took the old Huckster out for about a 15 mile trip. It ran like a Model should! So maybe we will be ready for NWRM in a couple of weeks.

Thanks every one for your help.