The Ford Barn

Blownflatheaddeuce · 12-08-2014, 04:54 AM

Hey guys, I've disassembled a crab dist which was internally rust free, but find the advance weights are moving in their slots much at all - barely 1mm of movement there. The advance plate is stamped 11A-12181.

The slots themselves have a slightly raised "nub" in them which prevent the studs in the weights from moving any further than 1mm in their respective slots. If you look at the pic carefully you can see this. Is this correct/normal and if not how much movement should the weights have?

Also, how does that slotted advance plate come off so that the weights are exposed?

Thanx

BFD

Mart · 12-08-2014, 05:20 AM

Whoa, BFD.

The slotted plate does not come off. The reason for limited movement is more likely that the outer shaft with the cam and weights pivots has seized to the inner shaft. If the cam can't rotate (advance) relative to the inner shaft, the weights won't move very far.

The raised nubs in the slot are correct and part of the design.

At the other end is a small circlip and a very thin washer. Remove the circlip and the thin washer and the outer part with the cam should slide off the inner shaft.

I had one that was stuck, but perseverance got it freed up and it works like a champ now.

Mart.

Blownflatheaddeuce · 12-08-2014, 07:02 AM

As usual than you Mart - got it apart, cleaned and polished the shaft....is great now.

One thing I noticed is that the of two strips of metal on each weight that serve as advance "springs, half of one strip on each weight is missing. That leaves "1.5 springs per weight.

Would that cause a problem with advancing TOO fast?

BFD

Blownflatheaddeuce · 12-08-2014, 08:32 AM

Bump o rama

Mart · 12-08-2014, 09:24 AM

Yeah. Bubba posted some pics of how the springs should look on another crab related thread.

Both springs should be long enough to bear against the diameter of the inner shaft. There should be a softer one and a stronger one, and they should be somewhat apart.

Mart.

Blownflatheaddeuce · 12-08-2014, 09:41 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yep.

Dunno if Im gonna need more "brake" to slow the the advance more if the springs are now a bit lighter.

Guess we'll find out soon enough !

BFD

JM 35 Sedan · 12-08-2014, 10:09 AM

Don't know if you have read this post or not. Good info on rebuilding a crab distributor by Bubba....

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...highlight=crab

Blownflatheaddeuce · 12-08-2014, 07:27 PM

Great thread thank JM !

BillM · 12-09-2014, 01:06 AM

From the Ford Engine Parts reconditioning manual, here are pages 98,99,and 100. Page 99 shows how the springs should be positioned.

12-08-2014, 05:20 AM	#2
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,750	Re: Crab dist advance weights Whoa, BFD. The slotted plate does not come off. The reason for limited movement is more likely that the outer shaft with the cam and weights pivots has seized to the inner shaft. If the cam can't rotate (advance) relative to the inner shaft, the weights won't move very far. The raised nubs in the slot are correct and part of the design. At the other end is a small circlip and a very thin washer. Remove the circlip and the thin washer and the outer part with the cam should slide off the inner shaft. I had one that was stuck, but perseverance got it freed up and it works like a champ now. Mart.

12-08-2014, 07:02 AM	#3
Blownflatheaddeuce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Deep DEEP South Posts: 223	Re: Crab dist advance weights As usual than you Mart - got it apart, cleaned and polished the shaft....is great now. One thing I noticed is that the of two strips of metal on each weight that serve as advance "springs, half of one strip on each weight is missing. That leaves "1.5 springs per weight. Would that cause a problem with advancing TOO fast? BFD Last edited by Blownflatheaddeuce; 12-08-2014 at 08:11 AM.

12-08-2014, 08:32 AM	#4
Blownflatheaddeuce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Deep DEEP South Posts: 223	Re: Crab dist advance weights Bump o rama

12-08-2014, 09:24 AM	#5
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,750	Re: Crab dist advance weights Yeah. Bubba posted some pics of how the springs should look on another crab related thread. Both springs should be long enough to bear against the diameter of the inner shaft. There should be a softer one and a stronger one, and they should be somewhat apart. Mart.

12-08-2014, 09:41 AM	#6
Blownflatheaddeuce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Deep DEEP South Posts: 223	Re: Crab dist advance weights Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yep. Dunno if Im gonna need more "brake" to slow the the advance more if the springs are now a bit lighter. Guess we'll find out soon enough ! BFD

12-08-2014, 10:09 AM	#7
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Crab dist advance weights Don't know if you have read this post or not. Good info on rebuilding a crab distributor by Bubba.... https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...highlight=crab __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

12-08-2014, 07:27 PM	#8
Blownflatheaddeuce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Deep DEEP South Posts: 223	Re: Crab dist advance weights Great thread thank JM !