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Old 07-16-2019, 07:28 PM   #1
hb32
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Default Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

Is one better then the other ? Why the different versions and is one more desirable?
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Old 07-16-2019, 07:58 PM   #2
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

Personally, I prefer the iron bodied unit. For one, the bore of the piston brake plunger is lined with a bronze bush
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Old 07-16-2019, 09:16 PM   #3
pete rose
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

Steel was generally used on commercial ( truck) engines
Aluminium generally passenger cars.
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Old 07-16-2019, 09:40 PM   #4
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

Interesting
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Old 07-16-2019, 09:48 PM   #5
deuce_roadster
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

I usually see the cast iron ones in military surplus boxes. The bushing for the piston is nice.
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Old 07-16-2019, 09:56 PM   #6
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

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Pulled a cast iron one out of a truck at the local junk yard some years ago. Just had Bubba rebuild it this spring and I'm running it now. He really likes the cast units.
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Old 07-16-2019, 10:17 PM   #7
hb32
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

I have two aluminum and a cast. Presently the cast is installed and so far so good.
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Old 07-17-2019, 03:11 PM   #8
Kube
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

Quote:
Originally Posted by pete rose View Post
Steel was generally used on commercial ( truck) engines
Aluminium generally passenger cars.
Cast was 1942 cars and trucks.
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Old 07-17-2019, 06:01 PM   #9
Ian NZ
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

The cast iron distributors are the way to go the bronze bush in the vacuum brake gives a better reading to the worn aluminium vacuum brake housing. Every aluminium distributor i have worked on I have found the vacuum brake housing is worn and this applies to the early bell types too, more than the cast iron housing with the bush which could be replaced if necessary to give the piston better sealing.
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Old 07-17-2019, 06:12 PM   #10
barnfind08
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

Can't be too hard to bore and install a bushing in the alum ones.
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Old 07-17-2019, 06:55 PM   #11
hb32
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

Interesting reading and good to know. Thanks to all for the excellent replies
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Old 07-18-2019, 06:29 PM   #12
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

Fred hit the nail on the head, bore/hone the aluminum one, install a bronze bushing.
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Old 07-18-2019, 07:03 PM   #13
Ian NZ
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Default Re: Cast steel vs aluminum crab distributor

Quote:
Originally Posted by russcc View Post
Fred hit the nail on the head, bore/hone the aluminum one, install a bronze bushing.
It would be a good idea, thats if you could buy bushes to fit.
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