The Ford Barn

Ed Northrop · 03-10-2023, 05:26 PM

I have the helmet style distributor I purchased new inner terminals and rotor the recommended clearance per sheet sent in the box should be 3 to 5 thousands. When installed I have 8 to 10 thousand clearance between inner terminals and rotor would this be a problem.
Thanks

Brian · 03-10-2023, 06:37 PM

When you consider the spark plug gap is .025" and the spark jumps that [and under compression], it'll have no trouble jumping .008"-.010".

ford38v8 · 03-10-2023, 06:58 PM

I believe Brian is correct, just be happy you don't have actual physical contact that will fracture the cap as some guys have reported. If you remain unsatisfied and want a closer clearance, you can add a bit of solder to the cap terminals and allow the rotor to shave off the excess. Just be sure to clean out the shavings before re-installing the distributor.

Ed Northrop · 03-11-2023, 07:53 PM

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Thanks for the info

03-10-2023, 05:26 PM	#1
Ed Northrop Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naples, New York Posts: 182	Distributor inner terminal clearance I have the helmet style distributor I purchased new inner terminals and rotor the recommended clearance per sheet sent in the box should be 3 to 5 thousands. When installed I have 8 to 10 thousand clearance between inner terminals and rotor would this be a problem. Thanks

03-10-2023, 06:37 PM	#2
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,848	Re: Distributor inner terminal clearance When you consider the spark plug gap is .025" and the spark jumps that [and under compression], it'll have no trouble jumping .008"-.010". __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

03-10-2023, 06:58 PM	#3
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,671	Re: Distributor inner terminal clearance I believe Brian is correct, just be happy you don't have actual physical contact that will fracture the cap as some guys have reported. If you remain unsatisfied and want a closer clearance, you can add a bit of solder to the cap terminals and allow the rotor to shave off the excess. Just be sure to clean out the shavings before re-installing the distributor. __________________ Alan

03-11-2023, 07:53 PM	#4
Ed Northrop Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naples, New York Posts: 182	Re: Distributor inner terminal clearance Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the info