Crab Distributor Question

[TomT/Williamsburg]

The felt pad that works with vacuum advance has worn to the point where my vacuum advance is erratic. There is a groove in it where the interval disk rides when I opened it up. I turned it 90 degrees and things were much better but needs to be replaced.

Is there a source for it or a material I can use in its stead? I hate to bother Jim at Bubbas right now - Charlie NY maybe?

Thanks ....

[JM 35 Sedan]

Tom, I believe that pad is normally made of leather, at least it is in the earlier helmet distributors. The last new ones I got came from Kenct, and I think he made them by punching them from the correct rawhide thickness. I'm sure they are available from some of our suppliers, or you could make your own.

[RKS.PA]

Tom, I'm going from memory here, but it seems like the pad on mine is more "leatherlike" than felt. Would it be possible to cut a new one to size and then superglue it to the piston? A hole punch the right size would be the ticket!!

[tubman]

As a last resort, I have some (or can make some). I looked long and hard and finally found some 16 ounce leather (about 1/4" thick) that works fine when cut out. I also have a punch that cuts the proper sized disc, but it is a very tough job; I can't do it with a hammer, so I use a press. It's some tough stuff.

As a little background, leather thickness in measured in ounces. 1/64" thickness of leather of the given size weighs 1 ounce. The thickest leather I could find was 16 ounces, which is 1/4" thick.

[34fordy]

Originally Posted by tubman

As a last resort, I have some (or can make some). I looked long and hard and finally found some 16 ounce leather (about 1/4" thick) that works fine when cut out. I also have a punch that cuts the proper sized disc, but it is a very tough job; I can't do it with a hammer, so I use a press. It's some tough stuff.

As a little background, leather thickness in measured in ounces. 1/64" thickness of leather of the given size weighs 1 ounce. The thickest leather I could find was 16 ounces, which is 1/4" thick.

I bought a couple of these from tubman and are working great!

[Seth Swoboda]

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I'd contact Michael Driskell at Third Gen Automotive in McMinnville TN. He will have what you need. Michael does distributor rebuilding services. 844-327-5988

[JM 35 Sedan]

Tom, pm me on this. I'm sure I still have some new ones left in with my distributor rebuilding parts, and can drop one in the mail to you.

Done!! Parts on the way.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Yep they are leather , i punch them out , super glue to the cleaned up piston and soak in marvel oil. The use some mobil one high temp grease on leather and piston. Seems to last a long time..... Some people sell a replacement but it is way too thin of leather ......

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Oh man - great responses and I really appreciate it!

So, what I am looking at now looks like felt or something similar - and it’s leather? I guess I should have known that with all the other uses Henry used leather for.

This was a distributor built by you, Jim which I installed in 2013 and 50k+ hard miles have been put on it. Other than a Pertronux issue at one point which had nothing to do with you, it has been spot on! A testament to your work in my book!

Thanks guys again for the quick responses .....

[Automotive Stud]

Third gen automotive has replacements that are very nice.

[Charlie ny]

hey Travato..........email me your address I'll shoot the whole piston/leather off to you N/C......for old times sake.
Charlie ny
[email protected]

[supereal]

The pad on the plunger is a "retard" device, not an advance. When engine vacuum drops, the spring behind the plunger is supposed to push the pad against the distributor plate to counteract the centrifugal weights that produce advance. This sytem was necessary back in the days when gasoline octane was usually low. Today's fuel is usually able to prevent "spark knock", even when the screw on the top of he distributor is fully retracted. We have seen both leather and plastic pad. If you want a new one, C&G sells the plunger with pad mounted for $15.

[Planojc]

I like Charlie's price better.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Charlie ny

hey Travato..........email me your address I'll shoot the whole piston/leather off to you N/C......for old times sake.
Charlie ny
[email protected]

Thank you for all you do for us here on the Barn Charlie, and for the hobby in general!!
I was in Hamburg, NY last weekend, and was wondering how close I might have been to your location?