The Ford Barn

pooch · 03-10-2015, 05:16 PM

Have a 38 21 stud and what I believe is a 39 24 stud motor.

The dizzys on both look the same with round caps on either side and a roundish coil on top and a horizontal condenser at back.

I have a few other dizzys and one with a crab cap .

These others ones have a larger protrusion where they fit into the block /cam, and different bolt holes.

It is obvious they do not fit.

What years did the 38/39 dizzy go up to before they changed the design ?

I was hoping to fit a crab, because it is the best one I have.

scooder · 03-10-2015, 06:07 PM

Sorry brain fart

Henry/Kokomo · 03-10-2015, 06:27 PM

I think - subject to correction from those more learned than I - the crab cap came in in 1942.

deuce_roadster · 03-10-2015, 06:34 PM

To use the "crab" distributor, you would be going from a 3 bolt dist to a 2 bolt dist. You can either change timing gear covers or use a 3 bolt to 2 bolt adapter.

ford38v8 · 03-10-2015, 09:09 PM

The crab will changing the timing cover, not a big deal, but requires careful installation of the rope seal, just the top half, the bottom remains on the oil pan.

The crab will also require the use of a cam adapter button, as the short cam was used prior to 1942. I recommend pinning the button to the distributor loosely for ease of installation.

The two earlier distributors are good for core value should you decide not to use them. An 11A mark on the tang increases the value of those cores.

scooder · 03-11-2015, 05:28 AM

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Alan,
With respect, no button needed going from 3 bolt to 2 bolt ignitions. The 3 bolt was used with the long nose cam, 2 bolt with short nose cam. So what's needed is a spacer for the 2 bolt ignition. Think of it as a 1/4" thick gasket shaped chap made from aluminium or steel (this is just a guess, thickness my spacer is buried deep in parts)
There was a spacer/adaptor marketed in the past, this allowed you to keep the 3 bolt timing cover. It bolted on, had threaded holes to then bolt the 2 bolt ignition on and was the required thickness. If making one, remember the vacuum brake hole must be dealt with.
Martin.

JSeery · 03-11-2015, 07:16 AM

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/i...prices-pg1.htm

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flathe...olt,25076.html

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...dapter.217554/

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...plates.619817/

ford38v8 · 03-11-2015, 12:05 PM

Scooder, you're right, I got it backwards!

AnthonyG · 03-11-2015, 03:13 PM

Alan, I am in the process of changing my dist. and noticed the button you are describing when I removed the dist. I am replacing. I was wondering how to make it easier to install the new dist and like the idea of pinning the button to the dist. You wouldn't have any pic's of that or instructions on what kind of pin. Assuming press fit into the keyed shaft on dist. and loose slip on the button key?

ford38v8 · 03-11-2015, 03:28 PM

Tony, Yes, press for the distributor tang, loose for the button. I used a taper pin and ground off the protruding ends. I suppose tapping for a machine screw would work as well. The important thing would be that the pin doesn't fall out, and the button can self center.

V12Bill · 03-11-2015, 03:46 PM

Your distributor was used from 1937 to 1941.

scooder · 03-11-2015, 05:03 PM

Tony,
The buttons are normally floating. The one I have has a thin collar around the female side so it stays on center with the dizzy. Dab of grease on the dizzy tang plop the button on and fit the dizzy.
Don't know if the currently available buttons are the same collared type.
Martin.

AnthonyG · 03-11-2015, 05:25 PM

Thx Allen and Martin, sorry Pooch didn't mean to impose on your post.

pooch · 03-11-2015, 07:09 PM

No, all good info, I am on a new learning curve with this one.

36 ford · 08-06-2015, 12:43 PM

On my 59A I am changing a 3 bolt cover to a 2 bolt cover and when check for fit I have a gap between the crab and the timing cover. Does that mean I need the spacer? I'm told the motor is a 48' merc in my 39.

Phil

ford38v8 · 08-06-2015, 03:06 PM

Phil, unless I got it backwards again, the 3 bolt cover, if used on a 59 would need the adapter button.
The 2 bolt cover, if used on a 59 would not need the button.
This is assuming that the engine has the short cam snout.
Scooter will either confirm or tell me I'm senile.

36 ford · 08-06-2015, 03:40 PM

Alan,

Thank you for your help. As we compare the 3 bolt cover to the 2 bolt we see that the 3 bolt cover has a shallower "dished" area where the dist. fits in to the cover than the 2 bolt so that the crab engages the cam end before it's seated inside the cover which seems to indicate the need for a spacer of some kind perhaps like this...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flathead-For...55a3e1&vxp=mtr

I'd like to be sure before I buy !

03-10-2015, 05:16 PM	#1
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Dizzy fitment. Have a 38 21 stud and what I believe is a 39 24 stud motor. The dizzys on both look the same with round caps on either side and a roundish coil on top and a horizontal condenser at back. I have a few other dizzys and one with a crab cap . These others ones have a larger protrusion where they fit into the block /cam, and different bolt holes. It is obvious they do not fit. What years did the 38/39 dizzy go up to before they changed the design ? I was hoping to fit a crab, because it is the best one I have.

03-10-2015, 06:07 PM	#2
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,593	Re: Dizzy fitment. Sorry brain fart

03-10-2015, 06:27 PM	#3
Henry/Kokomo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kokomo, Indiana Posts: 1,731	Re: Dizzy fitment. I think - subject to correction from those more learned than I - the crab cap came in in 1942. __________________ Henry

03-10-2015, 06:34 PM	#4
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Dizzy fitment. To use the "crab" distributor, you would be going from a 3 bolt dist to a 2 bolt dist. You can either change timing gear covers or use a 3 bolt to 2 bolt adapter.

03-10-2015, 09:09 PM	#5
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Dizzy fitment. The crab will changing the timing cover, not a big deal, but requires careful installation of the rope seal, just the top half, the bottom remains on the oil pan. The crab will also require the use of a cam adapter button, as the short cam was used prior to 1942. I recommend pinning the button to the distributor loosely for ease of installation. The two earlier distributors are good for core value should you decide not to use them. An 11A mark on the tang increases the value of those cores. __________________ Alan

03-11-2015, 05:28 AM	#6
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,593	Re: Dizzy fitment. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Alan, With respect, no button needed going from 3 bolt to 2 bolt ignitions. The 3 bolt was used with the long nose cam, 2 bolt with short nose cam. So what's needed is a spacer for the 2 bolt ignition. Think of it as a 1/4" thick gasket shaped chap made from aluminium or steel (this is just a guess, thickness my spacer is buried deep in parts) There was a spacer/adaptor marketed in the past, this allowed you to keep the 3 bolt timing cover. It bolted on, had threaded holes to then bolt the 2 bolt ignition on and was the required thickness. If making one, remember the vacuum brake hole must be dealt with. Martin.

03-11-2015, 07:16 AM	#7
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Dizzy fitment. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/i...prices-pg1.htm http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flathe...olt,25076.html http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...dapter.217554/ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...plates.619817/

03-11-2015, 12:05 PM	#8
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Dizzy fitment. Scooder, you're right, I got it backwards! __________________ Alan

03-11-2015, 03:13 PM	#9
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,171	Re: Dizzy fitment. Alan, I am in the process of changing my dist. and noticed the button you are describing when I removed the dist. I am replacing. I was wondering how to make it easier to install the new dist and like the idea of pinning the button to the dist. You wouldn't have any pic's of that or instructions on what kind of pin. Assuming press fit into the keyed shaft on dist. and loose slip on the button key? __________________ Nomad

03-11-2015, 03:28 PM	#10
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Dizzy fitment. Tony, Yes, press for the distributor tang, loose for the button. I used a taper pin and ground off the protruding ends. I suppose tapping for a machine screw would work as well. The important thing would be that the pin doesn't fall out, and the button can self center. __________________ Alan

03-11-2015, 03:46 PM	#11
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: Dizzy fitment. Your distributor was used from 1937 to 1941.

03-11-2015, 05:03 PM	#12
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,593	Re: Dizzy fitment. Tony, The buttons are normally floating. The one I have has a thin collar around the female side so it stays on center with the dizzy. Dab of grease on the dizzy tang plop the button on and fit the dizzy. Don't know if the currently available buttons are the same collared type. Martin.

03-11-2015, 05:25 PM	#13
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,171	Re: Dizzy fitment. Thx Allen and Martin, sorry Pooch didn't mean to impose on your post. __________________ Nomad

03-11-2015, 07:09 PM	#14
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: Dizzy fitment. No, all good info, I am on a new learning curve with this one.

08-06-2015, 12:43 PM	#15
36 ford Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania Posts: 311	Re: Dizzy fitment. On my 59A I am changing a 3 bolt cover to a 2 bolt cover and when check for fit I have a gap between the crab and the timing cover. Does that mean I need the spacer? I'm told the motor is a 48' merc in my 39. Phil

08-06-2015, 03:06 PM	#16
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Dizzy fitment. Phil, unless I got it backwards again, the 3 bolt cover, if used on a 59 would need the adapter button. The 2 bolt cover, if used on a 59 would not need the button. This is assuming that the engine has the short cam snout. Scooter will either confirm or tell me I'm senile. __________________ Alan

08-06-2015, 03:40 PM	#17
36 ford Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania Posts: 311	Re: Dizzy fitment. Alan, Thank you for your help. As we compare the 3 bolt cover to the 2 bolt we see that the 3 bolt cover has a shallower "dished" area where the dist. fits in to the cover than the 2 bolt so that the crab engages the cam end before it's seated inside the cover which seems to indicate the need for a spacer of some kind perhaps like this... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flathead-For...55a3e1&vxp=mtr I'd like to be sure before I buy !