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Old 01-28-2015, 12:33 PM   #1
malpais
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Default 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Does the 8BA modern type distributor coil terminal have a carbon contact/post that sticks into the distributor to contact the rotor? Most of my old cars do....Mine '53 doesn't. Can't find one locally to look at.

My 8ba ran good a few months ago, and now I can't get it to fire. Don't think I've done anything to it since then, but something changed.

There is blue spark (1/2") from the coil, and orange spark at the spark plugs, so I'm thinking the distributor ain't distributing right. (Tried new wires yesterday)!


Thanks,

Gordon
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Old 01-28-2015, 01:10 PM   #2
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Should be a button in there.
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Old 01-29-2015, 02:22 AM   #3
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

when the spring on the rotor doesn't touch the carbon button in the cap there is arcing that eats the button away, ---or it could be because the spring is too high and it chipped the button off when the cap was put on, what does the spring on the rotor look like
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Old 01-29-2015, 03:04 AM   #4
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Hi there, The carbon button should stand clear of the brass sleeve it is mounted in. You require a new cap and possibly a new rotor would be a good idea. How are you testing for spark at the plugs ? The correct way is to remove the lead from the spark plug and hold it close to a cylinder head nut (1/4" or so) and crank the engine over. Don't test by shorting the lead to ground while it is still connected to the spark plug or by holding it just off the plug terminal. Regards, Kevin.
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Old 01-29-2015, 09:52 AM   #5
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

I'll have to check the cap on my 52 Merc but I think they do have the spring loaded carbon lead in the centre of cap. I am having problem getting any spark at the plugs after a 30 year rest. Filed and cleaned the points and there is spark there but nothing at the plugs. I use a handy Briggs and Stratton spark tester since I have a strong aversion to electric shocks. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMALL-ENGINE...-/110941708280
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Old 01-29-2015, 11:16 AM   #6
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

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A stock '49-'53 Ford cap would have a molded in place carbon button.
The only spring loaded center contact I'm aware of are in the Mallory after market caps.
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Old 01-29-2015, 11:25 AM   #7
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Looking closely at the cap, seems the carbon broke off rather than burned off.

I screwed with the spring, so I'm not sure where it was height-wise, so I'll get a new rotor and cap. According to their site, a NAPA 30 miles from the house has some.

I'll have to see if I can find the chunk of carbon down in the distributor!

Seems to me the other stuff I messed with had a spring under the carbon post, so the spring on the rotor couldn't be wrong.

I did test by putting the wires close to a ground. Worked good except when it went down my arm. These don't hurt as bad as the modern ignitions!

Sure hope this is the issue, as I may have just broken it looking for the problem.....

Thanks much,

Gordon
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Old 01-30-2015, 12:49 PM   #8
Dave in WY
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Those old Sparkies still bite you pretty good. Been bit several times. Hope the new cap and rotor do the trick.
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Old 01-30-2015, 08:43 PM   #9
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Doggone it! Got a distributor cap and rotor from NAPA (part FA78) and brought it to the shop. Couldn't get the thing to go all the way on. Thought I had the little tab in the wrong place. Retried the old cap - no sweat. (The carbon button is gone on it). Thought maybe rotor was hitting. Tried old rotor - still no go. Sat everything side by side and couldn't see a difference.

After a few hours of bitching and moaning, and fussing about "cheap foreign crap", I took the distributer out - still couldn't get cap on.

Got out the calipers to measure the seating parts and found the distributer is about 3.58" dia; old cap is 3.59" dia, and the new one is about 3.56". Doesn't sound like much, but sure won't go on!

Need a big hammer (should work good on plastic) or another trip to NAPA.

Might one from another source fit? NAPA lists others, but didn't have them in stock. I wouldn't have known to check anyway.....

One interesting point is the new cap says "FoMoCo" inside.

Gordon
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Old 01-30-2015, 10:11 PM   #10
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Perhaps if you get the cap hot---say 200 degrees in a oven ---perhaps then it will be large and soft enough to fit, then when it cools see if it "fits"
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Old 01-30-2015, 11:12 PM   #11
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Believe it or not, I got one at Auto Zone. It's made in the U.S.A. and it fits and works perfect.
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Old 01-31-2015, 07:41 AM   #12
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Have at it with a dremel and a sanding roll, whizz around the part of the cap that needs to be bigger job done.
I've had to do this sometimes, make the cheapest part fit the expensive part.
Martin.
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Old 02-01-2015, 11:41 AM   #13
Cecil/WV
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Better grind off the outside of the distributor so you won't void the warranty on the cap! LOL
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Old 02-01-2015, 12:43 PM   #14
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Or I could just put the distributor in a lathe and turn it down....

Actually found that CarQuest had a cap. Same cap and says "FoMoCo" inside. It's a little tight, but it goes on.

Dang engine still wont run, but that's this afternoon's project, if it ain't too cold.

Thanks,

Gordon
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Old 02-05-2015, 11:27 AM   #15
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Just an update. New cap made no difference - still wouldn't start. 8 new plugs and it started in 1/4 of a turn. Idled good too.

Thanks for all posts!

Gordon
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Old 02-06-2015, 08:33 AM   #16
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Default Re: 1953 8BA Distributor Cap - Center Carbon Contact?

Great!!
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