Distributor body and cap

[Steve Rinaldo]

I have had bad luck with these parts from major part suppliers, Soooo does anyone know a source for good ones? I would also like to find one of the clear caps that were around a while back, any ideas? Thanks, Steve

[Gary WA]

Berts in Denver,[email protected]

[Tom Wesenberg]

What is bad?
If the body is loose, that isn't good. It could be tightened by running tape around where it seats, but the bodies I bought from Little Dearborn and Bratton's several years ago fit nice and snug.
If the caps aren't tight, that really doesn't hurt a thing.
I'm using original caps and bodies I bought years ago at swap meets.

[Mitch//pa]

I also was wondering what is wrong with them

[Steve Rinaldo]

I've had 2 caps that sparked from one of the outer post son the body and went to ground had one that tracked on the inside from cyl. 1 which of course fire the plug. that's what I would like to find the clear cap so I can use it as a tool. Got to love this repro stuff.

[glenn in camino]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originals I've used have always worked well. Plus they are correct for judging.

[Cockshutt Kid]

I have a couple of original Ford script caps that the centre carbon is wore down flush. I would really like to use them. Has anyone found a good reliable way of replacing them? Thanks, Jim.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Cockshutt Kid

I have a couple of original Ford script caps that the centre carbon is wore down flush. I would really like to use them. Has anyone found a good reliable way of replacing them? Thanks, Jim.

Yes, I used the round carbon brush from a MoPar alternator. Hardwar stores also have a brush assortment. Use a Dremel to grind out the pocket for the new carbon.

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by Steve Rinaldo

I have had bad luck with these parts from major part suppliers, Soooo does anyone know a source for good ones? I would also like to find one of the clear caps that were around a while back, any ideas? Thanks, Steve

Steve,
honestly the caps that are supplied by all the major suppliers are just fine. I use them all the time without issue as do many others on the forum here. The clear ( and I have several of them back from the 80's) are really just a gimmicky thing... I've really never found them of value to troubleshoot as I know if there's a cylinder issue and can troubleshoot that very quickly without the clear cap. I guess if you like watching the spark to see what it does, fine... If you have a cracked cap replace it. You can clean the caps with a cloth and wipe it down with alcohol to remove any impurity.

I'm confused at your comment regarding the "outer post son the body and went to ground" as I doubt the spark would jump that far on the Model A coil. Output on the straight poll coil is generallly 10KV-14KV and the slant poles more. I test coils all the time on my Ford Heyer test set and they will only jump so far on a missing cylinder. If the cap is the problem then put another one on it, used or good quality new. Yes, there are poor quality caps out there but the snyders,berts, brattons, mikes, are all supplying good caps.

It sounds like you have other issues with the ignition.
Have you tried swapping plugs... etc?

Larry Shepard

[larrys40]

Like your new avatar vince... seems like we all do that now and then...
Larry

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by larrys40

Steve,
honestly the caps that are supplied by all the major suppliers are just fine. I use them all the time without issue as do many others on the forum here. The clear ( and I have several of them back from the 80's) are really just a gimmicky thing... I've really never found them of value to troubleshoot as I know if there's a cylinder issue and can troubleshoot that very quickly without the clear cap. I guess if you like watching the spark to see what it does, fine... If you have a cracked cap replace it. You can clean the caps with a cloth and wipe it down with alcohol to remove any impurity.

I'm confused at your comment regarding the "outer post son the body and went to ground" as I doubt the spark would jump that far on the Model A coil. Output on the straight poll coil is generallly 10KV-14KV and the slant poles more. I test coils all the time on my Ford Heyer test set and they will only jump so far on a missing cylinder. If the cap is the problem then put another one on it, used or good quality new. Yes, there are poor quality caps out there but the snyders,berts, brattons, mikes, are all supplying good caps.

It sounds like you have other issues with the ignition.
Have you tried swapping plugs... etc?

Larry Shepard

Excellent post Larry right on... I was thinking possibly plugs also.. It doesn't sound right to have two issues with the spark backing up into them..

[1930marie]

Forever4. Where were you located? lol. Put a price on your original bodies and caps and I will send you the cash! I love that stuff! Thanks!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

How do you keep the new carbon from falling out.

It can be a press fit, but if you wind up with the hole a bit loose then just wedge it with a piece of cardboard or paper.

BTW, make sure the spring contact on the rotor is smooth and free of rust, or it will chew up the carbon.

[Steve Rinaldo]

Thanks for the good ideas, Steve.

[Cockshutt Kid]

Thanks Tom. I will try and fix one this evening as I sit by the wood stove keeping warm and dreaming of spring. Jim

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by Cockshutt Kid

Thanks Tom. I will try and fix one this evening as I sit by the wood stove keeping warm and dreaming of spring. Jim

Jim, kind of happy (well almost) with cold weather here in good old rainy Portland. This month set a record of 14 inches of rain in one month.

[Fred K-OR]

What is the best way to test an old distributor body to be sure it is still good? Other than just checking for cracks and putting it on the rig to see how it runs. I know you should also check to see the space between the rotor and the body contacts but is there something else to check?.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Fred, I would just use it and check for any engine miss, especially when you floor it.

It seems the biggest problem is with 3 and 4 crossfire to each other.