Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-02-2020, 05:40 PM   #1
chiro
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 112
Default crab distributor setup

I have one of Bubba's crab distributors on my 59AB flathead V8. It's just great. However, I'm wondering what you guys do when you want to check the points. I don't have a $7000.00 KR Wilson fixture that's made out of unobtanium nor a Sun distributor machine either

Does anybody make an aftermarket fixture that I can use to set the points when it's time to do it? Yes, I'm aware of the measuring method for setting timing and points but find that kind of like it's really not accurate.
Thanks,
Andy
chiro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 05:48 PM   #2
KiWinUS
Senior Member
 
KiWinUS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here
Posts: 2,945
Default Re: crab distributor setup

So please tell us what you would pay for a fixture that would allow you to set up your distributor accurately. That may help us guide you.
Cheers
Tony
KiWinUS is online now   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 01-02-2020, 05:50 PM   #3
35fordtn
Senior Member
 
35fordtn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,327
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Andy,
A simple dwell meter will tell you if they need adjusting or not.. While with a machine you can adjust the dwell while spinning, you cannot on a car... but you can at least check it to see if it even needs adjusting that way.

Most rebuilders and I am sure Bubba as well can easily check them for you at any given time with little turnaround time..

We charge $25.00 just to adjust one that someone else has rebuilt, or free if we rebuilt it.
35fordtn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 06:41 PM   #4
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
Default Re: crab distributor setup

I bought an old dwell/tach of eBay a couple of years ago for $20 plus shipping. I used it to set the dwell on the Mallory dual point in my '51. It was mainly trial and error (tweak the points and re-check), but it didn't take long to get it where I wanted it. I would imagine it would work the same way on a pre-8BA except it's a little more difficult to work on because of the location of the distributor.

The current meters that use 12 volt power won't work in a 6 volt car; you need the kind that doesn't require external power.
tubman is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 08:00 PM   #5
Bored&Stroked
Senior Member
 
Bored&Stroked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,013
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by tubman View Post
I bought an old dwell/tach of eBay a couple of years ago for $20 plus shipping. I used it to set the dwell on the Mallory dual point in my '51. It was mainly trial and error (tweak the points and re-check), but it didn't take long to get it where I wanted it. I would imagine it would work the same way on a pre-8BA except it's a little more difficult to work on because of the location of the distributor.

The current meters that use 12 volt power won't work in a 6 volt car; you need the kind that doesn't require external power.
Hmmmmmm . . . wondering if you can do the same thing I've done with a timing light. Could you connect the negative side of the 12V battery to the frame and them the positive side to the dwell meter . . . while at the same time you're still running the 6V system? Just pondering out loud . . . as I'm away from my equipment on vacation in the Black Hills of SD.

Happy 2020 Gang!
B&S
Bored&Stroked is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 08:31 PM   #6
drolston
Senior Member
 
drolston's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Posts: 1,623
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Consider the "shade tree" alternative.

Millions of people drove and even raced flatheads without the benefit of a distributor machine or dwell meter. Just be sure the points make good flat contact and adjust the gap precisely. If the points are burned even a little, they must be replaced or filed flat. Easier said than done, because whenever you tighten the points down, the adjustment moves a little. Just keep fiddling with it until both are set right when tightened down. Be sure the vacuum brake is making light contact with no vacuum. Set the timing at the center mark and see if the engine pings when accelerating in second gear or going up a hill. Sounds like someone shaking a few small pebbles in a can. If not, advance one mark and try again. Keep advancing and testing until she pings; then back off one mark (2 degrees). To advance, move the screw head up. On modern regular gas you should be able to advance two, maybe three marks. The engine will run stronger and cooler.

"Get home trick" Always carry spare condenser and a strip of medium Emory paper to fold over and drag back and forth between the points to take off a high spot when the condenser fails and the points burn. Even if you don't have the spare condenser, this may get you far enough to get to a proper repair..
drolston is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 09:31 PM   #7
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
Default Re: crab distributor setup

I have a 12 volt powered dwell/tach meter as well, and I tried a few things (including inserting a 12 volt battery into the mix) and couldn't get it to work on my car. My meter is kinda old, so maybe a more modern unit could work; it's worth a try. To tell the truth, I didn't try a lot of things for fear of damaging the meter.
tubman is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 11:08 PM   #8
35fordtn
Senior Member
 
35fordtn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,327
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked View Post
Hmmmmmm . . . wondering if you can do the same thing I've done with a timing light. Could you connect the negative side of the 12V battery to the frame and them the positive side to the dwell meter . . . while at the same time you're still running the 6V system? Just pondering out loud . . . as I'm away from my equipment on vacation in the Black Hills of SD.

Happy 2020 Gang!
B&S
With my dwell meter this can be done.. just did this exact thing on my 1937 Ford last week, as I was too lazy to remove and install on my sun machine.. PS the dwell meter I was using cost me all of $28 NEW


Jim Linder (bubba) builds a fine distributor, so I would imagine it would be many thousand miles before the dizzy needs adjusting..
35fordtn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2020, 12:44 PM   #9
chiro
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 112
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Yes, Jim does indeed build a fine distributor and I am thankful for him and will probably order a spare from him just in case. However, I like to work on my own stuff too and was wondering about any after market (non KR Wilson) timing fixtures that may be available.
Andy
chiro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2020, 01:31 PM   #10
mercurycyclone
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 543
Default Re: crab distributor setup

I am responding to your question showing you there are other timing fixtures made when the cars were new I am not trying to sell the fixture. I have had the Kem timing device for about 10 - 12 years have not tried to use and have not seen another like it. See attached photos.
mercurycyclone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2020, 01:51 PM   #11
Tim Ayers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,144
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by mercurycyclone View Post
I am responding to your question showing you there are other timing fixtures made when the cars were new I am not trying to sell the fixture. I have had the Kem timing device for about 10 - 12 years have not tried to use and have not seen another like it. See attached photos.
I have this one as well. Same as you, I've never tried to use it.
Tim Ayers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2020, 02:48 PM   #12
35fordtn
Senior Member
 
35fordtn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,327
Default Re: crab distributor setup

I have two of those KEM fixtures, while they will set up the points they do not give you a dwell number like the KRW fixture does.

The KRW fixture does everything one would need, except it will not test for point bounce, which in my opinion is imperative to check. You would have to have a Sun Machine or such for that purpose.

You can usually find a old working Sun Machine reasonable if you look hard enough.
35fordtn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2020, 02:54 PM   #13
Ronnieroadster
Senior Member
 
Ronnieroadster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: East Coast in CT
Posts: 1,510
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Just put a Pertronix conversion in the crab then you wont need any timing fixtures or lots of dollars for such a device. Thats what I do.
Ronnieroadster
__________________
I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish.
"Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block"
Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline.
First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH
Ronnieroadster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2020, 06:27 PM   #14
drolston
Senior Member
 
drolston's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Posts: 1,623
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster View Post
Just put a Pertronix conversion in the crab then you wont need any timing fixtures or lots of dollars for such a device. Thats what I do.
Ronnieroadster
Ditto on the Pertronix to eliminate bouncing, burning, wearing points. Never had a failure of Pertronix, but I carry a spare distributor with points to get me home when it does crap out.
drolston is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2020, 09:48 PM   #15
the99car
Junior Member
 
the99car's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Zephyrhills , FLA
Posts: 18
Default Re: crab distributor setup

I've got pertronix in my '48(was in it when I bought it) and just got one for my '46. Instructions don't tell how to time it. do you just install , start it and "fine tune" with the slight adj on the side. Kenny -Z Hills
the99car is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2020, 08:28 AM   #16
Hoop
Senior Member
 
Hoop's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 1,137
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Michael, you do a lot of distributors therefore gather a bunch more experience on certain issues than we amateurs do. Thanks for sharing.

Your mentioning point bounce and the frequency that you encounter it ... do you use a spring tension gauge? Is it a reliable indicator of point function?

As a separate question, with the number of bad points that are being supplied, how do you avoid selling some of them and having to deal with come-backs?

Wouldn't a roadside fruit and vegetable stand be less trouble?
__________________
"Remember that when it comes to intelligence, half of all of us are below average."
Hoop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2020, 03:44 PM   #17
Ronnieroadster
Senior Member
 
Ronnieroadster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: East Coast in CT
Posts: 1,510
Default Re: crab distributor setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by the99car View Post
I've got pertronix in my '48(was in it when I bought it) and just got one for my '46. Instructions don't tell how to time it. do you just install , start it and "fine tune" with the slight adj on the side. Kenny -Z Hills



Yes thats exactly what you do. However I go a bit farther I increase the slot opening a bit more so additional timing adjustment can be accomplished. Being a Hot Rodder i always try to improve where i can and you might even experience better fuel economy when your done.
Ronnieroadster
__________________
I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish.
"Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block"
Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline.
First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH
Ronnieroadster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2020, 08:35 PM   #18
Flathead Youngin'
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 69
Default Re: crab distributor setup

That's a good idea, RonnieRoadster.

Has anyone tried the Stromberg version?
__________________
"Constipated, can't pass a thing! Don't laugh, bud, your daughter may be in here. They don't call 'em flyn' flatheads for nothin'!"
Hot Rod (Kennie) Holmes
Flathead Youngin' is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:11 AM.