The Ford Barn

cars56 · 06-09-2013, 09:37 AM

Hi all
When installing a new distributor the advance rod from the firewall does not reach the distributor attachment?
Any direction is appreciated

Joe K · 06-09-2013, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cars56

Hi all
When installing a new distributor the advance rod from the firewall does not reach the distributor attachment?
Any direction is appreciated

Try undoing the steering column clamp at the gas tank and down where it connects to the steering box and rotating the column until you can get the balljoints to snap together?

The slot in the distributor cap is what sets the "degree of action" of the distributor. As long as moving the lever at the steering column keeps the distributor lever within the range given by the cap - you're fine.

Assuming your connector is original length. I think I had a repop connector once that was too long. To turn the column would have put the levers at a most unnatural angle. So I put a bend in the connector.

This worked until I could get an oem connector.

Joe K

Purdy Swoft · 06-09-2013, 10:23 AM

If you have the two tooth steering, there is a clamp where the column tube meets the steering box. loosen the two screws that hold the clamp under the gas tank or upper dash if it is a mid to late 1931. Loosen the tube clamp at the bottom of the steering column tube. After loosening the clamps you should be able tro rotate the steering column tube and bring the advance rod closer to the distributor connection. There is an opening or window at the rear of the distributor cap body that the arm of the upper distributor plate moves in. You should be able to rotate the column tube so as to gain full advance and retard of the distributor plate lever inside this window in the distributor cap. If adjusting the column tube doesn't give full movement, the only other possibility would be that you have the wrong or too short of advance rod.

Purdy Swoft · 06-09-2013, 10:28 AM

Sorry Joe K. , I'm typing slow, not lring to be an echo.

cars56 · 06-09-2013, 10:36 AM

Hi Joe
The original one fit perfectly
The top dist plate does not rotate now, I pushed down on it, does that make a difference?

1931 flamingo · 06-09-2013, 11:15 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Is the dist seated in the small locating hole in the head?? Yes the top plate has to rotate as that is what is controlled by the advance rod.
Paul in CT

Purdy Swoft · 06-09-2013, 12:11 PM

The upper plate rotates in a groove in the distributor housing. The plate has three tabs. with the cap and rotor removed, looking straight down at the distributor houseing you will see the groove with three reliefs, indentations that allows the upper plate to be removed. There is a spring between the upper and lower distributor plates, This spring holds tension on the upper plate for stabilazation of the tabs on the upper plate where it rotates in the groove in the housing . If the cap is removed, the upper plate can be rotated until the tabs align with reliefs , this causes the spring loaded upper plate to jump the groove in the housing. The plate may have somehow jammed the plate tabs in the grove so that it no longer rotates. You should be able to carefully push down on the plate and work the tabs back in place so that the upper plate will function again.

Joe K · 06-09-2013, 01:03 PM

No apologies necessary everyone. The limitations of the media.

Plus one on Purdy's explanation. With everything assembled you should be able to move the advance/retard arm on the distributor with your fingers - the slot in the black plastic cap is the limit(s). And keeps the plate from finding the three removal grooves when assembled.

Joe K

06-09-2013, 09:37 AM	#1
cars56 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 212	Distributor install Hi all When installing a new distributor the advance rod from the firewall does not reach the distributor attachment? Any direction is appreciated

06-09-2013, 10:23 AM	#3
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Distributor install If you have the two tooth steering, there is a clamp where the column tube meets the steering box. loosen the two screws that hold the clamp under the gas tank or upper dash if it is a mid to late 1931. Loosen the tube clamp at the bottom of the steering column tube. After loosening the clamps you should be able tro rotate the steering column tube and bring the advance rod closer to the distributor connection. There is an opening or window at the rear of the distributor cap body that the arm of the upper distributor plate moves in. You should be able to rotate the column tube so as to gain full advance and retard of the distributor plate lever inside this window in the distributor cap. If adjusting the column tube doesn't give full movement, the only other possibility would be that you have the wrong or too short of advance rod.

06-09-2013, 10:28 AM	#4
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Distributor install Sorry Joe K. , I'm typing slow, not lring to be an echo.

06-09-2013, 10:36 AM	#5
cars56 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 212	Re: Distributor install Hi Joe The original one fit perfectly The top dist plate does not rotate now, I pushed down on it, does that make a difference?

06-09-2013, 11:15 AM	#6
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Distributor install Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Is the dist seated in the small locating hole in the head?? Yes the top plate has to rotate as that is what is controlled by the advance rod. Paul in CT

06-09-2013, 12:11 PM	#7
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Distributor install The upper plate rotates in a groove in the distributor housing. The plate has three tabs. with the cap and rotor removed, looking straight down at the distributor houseing you will see the groove with three reliefs, indentations that allows the upper plate to be removed. There is a spring between the upper and lower distributor plates, This spring holds tension on the upper plate for stabilazation of the tabs on the upper plate where it rotates in the groove in the housing . If the cap is removed, the upper plate can be rotated until the tabs align with reliefs , this causes the spring loaded upper plate to jump the groove in the housing. The plate may have somehow jammed the plate tabs in the grove so that it no longer rotates. You should be able to carefully push down on the plate and work the tabs back in place so that the upper plate will function again.

06-09-2013, 01:03 PM	#8
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Distributor install No apologies necessary everyone. The limitations of the media. Plus one on Purdy's explanation. With everything assembled you should be able to move the advance/retard arm on the distributor with your fingers - the slot in the black plastic cap is the limit(s). And keeps the plate from finding the three removal grooves when assembled. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.