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02-17-2016, 05:01 PM | #1 |
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Setting helmet rotor/cap gap
Is there a "how to" manual or instruction sheet that will help me set the gaps on my two new caps on a '39 helmet? I have the distributor off and with the coil and the opposite cap removed, I still can not access all the cap to rotor contacts with a feeler gauge to set the gaps.
Thank you, Phil Last edited by 39topless; 02-17-2016 at 06:52 PM. |
02-17-2016, 05:04 PM | #2 |
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Re: Setting helmit rotor/cap gap
I think your referencing the points. You will need to remove the distributor from the car to gap the points.
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02-17-2016, 05:09 PM | #3 | |
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Re: Setting helmit rotor/cap gap
Quote:
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02-17-2016, 05:27 PM | #4 |
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Re: Setting helmit rotor/cap gap
Yes there is a Ford Spec. for the rotor to inner cap terminals but the Spec is there to let mechanics know that Ford did not want this gap to open and if it did it could cause problems. If you have a new rotor and new inner caps on both sides, Check one of the terminals on each side if they are good you can assume by viewing at the others they are also good. There is no adjustment. Do make sure the rotor does not touch any of the inner cap terminals.
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02-17-2016, 05:59 PM | #5 | |
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Re: Setting helmit rotor/cap gap
Quote:
The instruction sheet that came with the new caps said to set (file?) the clearance gaps of the cap to rotor contacts at between .003 and .006. I can not get the feeler gauge on all of the contact points even with the coil and the opposite cap removed in order to check these clearances. If the contacts aren't actually touching each other as the rotor turns, is that good enough? Thanks, Phil |
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02-17-2016, 06:13 PM | #6 |
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Re: Setting helmit rotor/cap gap
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I would think so....
__________________
The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 Last edited by petehoovie; 02-18-2016 at 03:51 AM. |
02-17-2016, 11:14 PM | #7 |
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Re: Setting helmet rotor/cap gap
39topless
I had a real bad problem last year with the inner caps on my 32. It uses the 39-41 distributor. It turned out the issue was the aftermarket caps that I purchased, and was very difficult to pinpoint. The engine would start & run real well, until the rpm was above 3000, then it would miss/vibrate terribly. Getting new Ford caps solved my problem. I got them from Joblot in New York. |
02-18-2016, 03:14 AM | #8 |
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Re: Setting helmet rotor/cap gap
seems you have a wrong type of rotor in , but hey its a 39 wot do i know
lol |
02-18-2016, 10:56 AM | #9 | |
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Re: Setting helmet rotor/cap gap
Quote:
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02-18-2016, 11:15 AM | #10 |
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Re: Setting helmet rotor/cap gap
Kinda a typical issue with all ignitions systems over the years. Many rotor must be matched for the system it is being used on. Later vehicles even had a emission rotor (E) for less radio noise suppression as overall radio noise suppression was becoming a problem with tele communications etc. I used to as a kid know when a certain 56 Ford was driving by our house out in the country because it mess up my cartoons ... Never did like that car !!!
It is important that the cap and rotor comes from the same manufacture for correct clearance. As spark jumps the gap there is a certain amount of errosion of the rotor tip etc. As a rebuilder of the helmet distributor we measure each rotor for correct tip length to assure the wear isnt excessive, if it is we throw it away....... In reality this gap can be pretty wide or narrow with little effect up to spark plug gap. If the plugs are gapped at .025 then rotor gap cant exceed .025 without a problem. The Ford rotor is not insulated very well on the helmets and the plastics cant handle excessive coil output without breaking down. The smallest gap without hitting is desired..... |
02-18-2016, 11:20 AM | #11 |
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Re: Setting helmet rotor/cap gap
Slightly off topic, but I recall reading literature pertaining to eliminating radio interference, whereby you build up the inner cap terminals with solder, refit caps, and turn the distributor, allowing the rotor to 'cut' a track through the soldered terminals, giving a real close fit.
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02-18-2016, 11:44 AM | #12 |
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Re: Setting helmet rotor/cap gap
on military vehicles we have suppressors on plug wires and generator to take out the radio interference, like the vehicle tank i own
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02-18-2016, 11:48 AM | #13 | |
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Re: Setting helmet rotor/cap gap
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They actually had a few of the first computer controlled cars that missed when the wipers were turned on.... |
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02-18-2016, 03:46 PM | #14 |
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Re: Setting helmet rotor/cap gap
Unfortunately, JobLot is no more.
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