The Ford Barn

jkflathead · 02-06-2019, 08:43 AM

I just replaced the spark plug wires on my '37 Ford. I am having trouble getting the distributor caps back into the distributor body that they came out of. It's like the body shrunk or the caps got bigger. Do I ream out the body? Any advice would be appreciated.

jrhaelig · 02-06-2019, 08:58 AM

The inner and outer components can be a little tricky. The sticky points should be showing themselves as scuff marks on the plastic.

I think a little sandpaper on the spots that are binding will do the trick

Kube · 02-06-2019, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkflathead

I just replaced the spark plug wires on my '37 Ford. I am having trouble getting the distributor caps back into the distributor body that they came out of. It's like the body shrunk or the caps got bigger. Do I ream out the body? Any advice would be appreciated.

The inner caps as well as the distributor body tend to warp a bit. A simple "sanding" of the inner cap as has been previously advised, will do the trick.
This is very common...

alanwoodieman · 02-06-2019, 11:51 AM

to cure this problem you will need to clearance the inner cap to fit the distributor body, the cause of this problem is the "swelling" of the soybean plastic that Ford used and the corrosion of the aluminum housing. I typically bead blast the housing to clean off the corrosion to help in the fit of the inner caps and have very carefully bead blasted the edges of the inner caps--saves sanding time.

JM 35 Sedan · 02-06-2019, 12:30 PM

On the helmet style distributors, I always sand the outer diameter of the inner caps to give a nice/neat fit into the openings on both sides of the aluminum housing. This makes life a lot easier when it comes time to remove the distributor, because it's easier to flip the bail wire form off the outer cap, and remove both inner & outer caps as a unit, which allows the plug wire ends to remain plugged into the inner cap.

jkflathead · 02-06-2019, 03:48 PM

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Thanks. A little sanding and a little swearing and I got everything to fit. I think.

02-06-2019, 08:43 AM	#1
jkflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 679	Tight Distributor caps I just replaced the spark plug wires on my '37 Ford. I am having trouble getting the distributor caps back into the distributor body that they came out of. It's like the body shrunk or the caps got bigger. Do I ream out the body? Any advice would be appreciated.

02-06-2019, 08:58 AM	#2
jrhaelig Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bridgewater, New Jersey Posts: 264	Re: Tight Distributor caps The inner and outer components can be a little tricky. The sticky points should be showing themselves as scuff marks on the plastic. I think a little sandpaper on the spots that are binding will do the trick __________________ John Haelig Bridgewater, NJ 1939 Ford Pickup 1963 Lincoln Continental 1939 Buick

02-06-2019, 11:51 AM	#4
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,965	Re: Tight Distributor caps to cure this problem you will need to clearance the inner cap to fit the distributor body, the cause of this problem is the "swelling" of the soybean plastic that Ford used and the corrosion of the aluminum housing. I typically bead blast the housing to clean off the corrosion to help in the fit of the inner caps and have very carefully bead blasted the edges of the inner caps--saves sanding time.

02-06-2019, 12:30 PM	#5
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Tight Distributor caps On the helmet style distributors, I always sand the outer diameter of the inner caps to give a nice/neat fit into the openings on both sides of the aluminum housing. This makes life a lot easier when it comes time to remove the distributor, because it's easier to flip the bail wire form off the outer cap, and remove both inner & outer caps as a unit, which allows the plug wire ends to remain plugged into the inner cap. __________________ *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*

02-06-2019, 03:48 PM	#6
jkflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 679	Re: Tight Distributor caps Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks. A little sanding and a little swearing and I got everything to fit. I think.