The Ford Barn

Dave Castle · 02-25-2018, 10:21 AM

I realize u can only mount the distributor on a 59a one way, but can it be 180 out ?

JSeery · 02-25-2018, 10:28 AM

Not if the slot on the distributor is lined up properly with the slot on the camshaft. They are both off set to help prevent this.

tubman · 02-25-2018, 10:36 AM

You can do it if you try hard enough. And then something critical will break when you try to start it.

Jack E/NJ · 02-25-2018, 10:45 AM

Is this a theoretical question? I think you can make it 180 off by putting #1 wire on #6 cyl, #2 wire on #8 cyl, #3 wire on #5 cyl....... without breaking anything. Might not run though. 8^) Jack E/NJ

JM 35 Sedan · 02-25-2018, 11:34 AM

If for some reason a button adapter is used between distributor shaft and cam, some of these adapters are so poorly made that it is possible to have distributor 180° out without breaking the housing when engine is rotated. There have been previous posts by members here on this happening to them.

deuce_roadster · 02-25-2018, 02:14 PM

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Timing gears miss marked could have the cam 180 off from where it should be. But the slots on cam and distrib tang without any button would have the distributer where it should be in relation with the cam. Sounds like a cluster f to me if it were 180 off.

tubman · 02-25-2018, 02:19 PM

"Deuce Roadster" - If you're referring to my statement, you are right; it was a "cluster f". It was just a couple of dumb kids (I was not one of them, thankfully) working in the dirt under an old Ford about 1960. One of them was really pissed off because it broke right after he "worked so hard to make it fit".

drolston · 02-25-2018, 08:28 PM

Sign in the Ford Parts Department, circa 1959: "If it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer."
That actually worked for installing rear grease seals.

Brian · 02-25-2018, 10:56 PM

It is possible to assemble the British Lucas distributors 180* out. Been there...done that.

Jack E/NJ · 02-26-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

It is possible to assemble the British Lucas distributors 180* out. Been there...done that.

Prolly worked just as well too. Jack E/NJ

RKS.PA · 02-26-2018, 08:54 AM

Second JM's comment above. Even though the "button" is offset, and I tried to match the offset with slot in the cam, it went together with no problem!!! Didn't take a moment to reveal my mistake....but didn't break anything!! Offset can be very subtle.

Dick.

Mart · 02-26-2018, 10:53 AM

Brian's already reported on the Lucas being able to be assembled internally 180 out. In theory you can't build or fit a Ford one 180 out. If you're ham fisted enough you might manage it though.

02-25-2018, 10:45 AM	#4
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: 180 out ? Is this a theoretical question? I think you can make it 180 off by putting #1 wire on #6 cyl, #2 wire on #8 cyl, #3 wire on #5 cyl....... without breaking anything. Might not run though. 8^) Jack E/NJ

02-25-2018, 02:19 PM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: 180 out ? "Deuce Roadster" - If you're referring to my statement, you are right; it was a "cluster f". It was just a couple of dumb kids (I was not one of them, thankfully) working in the dirt under an old Ford about 1960. One of them was really pissed off because it broke right after he "worked so hard to make it fit".

02-25-2018, 10:56 PM	#9
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,834	Re: 180 out ? It is possible to assemble the British Lucas distributors 180* out. Been there...done that. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

02-26-2018, 08:54 AM	#11
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: 180 out ? Second JM's comment above. Even though the "button" is offset, and I tried to match the offset with slot in the cam, it went together with no problem!!! Didn't take a moment to reveal my mistake....but didn't break anything!! Offset can be very subtle. Dick.

02-26-2018, 10:53 AM	#12
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,755	Re: 180 out ? Brian's already reported on the Lucas being able to be assembled internally 180 out. In theory you can't build or fit a Ford one 180 out. If you're ham fisted enough you might manage it though.

02-25-2018, 10:21 AM	#1
Dave Castle Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Carmel, Ca Posts: 269	180 out ? I realize u can only mount the distributor on a 59a one way, but can it be 180 out ?

02-25-2018, 10:28 AM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 180 out ? Not if the slot on the distributor is lined up properly with the slot on the camshaft. They are both off set to help prevent this.

02-25-2018, 10:36 AM	#3
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: 180 out ? You can do it if you try hard enough. And then something critical will break when you try to start it.

02-25-2018, 11:34 AM	#5
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: 180 out ? If for some reason a button adapter is used between distributor shaft and cam, some of these adapters are so poorly made that it is possible to have distributor 180° out without breaking the housing when engine is rotated. There have been previous posts by members here on this happening to them. __________________ *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* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 02-25-2018 at 11:10 PM.

02-25-2018, 02:14 PM	#6
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: 180 out ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Timing gears miss marked could have the cam 180 off from where it should be. But the slots on cam and distrib tang without any button would have the distributer where it should be in relation with the cam. Sounds like a cluster f to me if it were 180 off.

02-25-2018, 08:28 PM	#8
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: 180 out ? Sign in the Ford Parts Department, circa 1959: "If it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer." That actually worked for installing rear grease seals.