The Ford Barn

blownford · 03-06-2026, 07:40 AM

Recent addition to collection. Seller described it as "HC flathead distributor dual point conversion" however I think he may have meant Dual Coil Conversion.

It is missing the expensive HC rotor and the HC spacer/second coil wire piece.
It has a 4 lobe cam, but the stock crab cap and rotor still fit.

The dist plate has been modified to accept a set of unknown points. look at the support for the upper shaft bushing, it has been cut and welded to clear the points.

It appears to be well used.

Just curious.

KiWinUS · 03-06-2026, 08:56 AM

Takes Benedix aircraft magneto points, rotor and intermediate plate are near impossible to find in usable condition. I believe you would be money ahead to find a complete unit if this is what you want.if in fact it is a H&C distributor.

petehoovie · 03-06-2026, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blownford

Recent addition to collection. Seller described it as "HC flathead distributor dual point conversion" however I think he may have meant Dual Coil Conversion.

It is missing the expensive HC rotor and the HC spacer/second coil wire piece.
It has a 4 lobe cam, but the stock crab cap and rotor still fit.

The dist plate has been modified to accept a set of unknown points. look at the support for the upper shaft bushing, it has been cut and welded to clear the points.

It appears to be well used.

Just curious.

highbeams · 03-06-2026, 08:58 PM

Appears to be well used? Well, just file the points as my father did in the '30s, '40s, '50s!

Bored&Stroked · 03-07-2026, 12:29 PM

I agree with Kiwi Tony - given it is missing all the hard to get parts . . . you're FAR better off finding one in good condition and then having it rebuilt by somebody who knows these units.

Terry,OH · 03-09-2026, 07:56 AM

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Should have a information tag on the bottom if it is HC if the tag has been remove there should be two small rivets that held the tag in place or the two small holes for the rivets. Your also missing the spacer on the top of the main shaft that HC used.

Tim Ayers · 03-09-2026, 08:06 AM

Not sure how much you paid, but recently there was one completely restored with really nice cap and rotor with two Mallory 6V coils for $500 shipped.

Like Tony & Dale mentioned, I'm afraid yours will cost you much more after you source all of the required parts.

They are out there, so take your time and find a better one. You'll be miles ahead.

KiWinUS · 03-09-2026, 01:28 PM

I don’t know what you have there but I don’t believe it is a H&C distributor. Too many differences. Pic is of a H&C distributor.

petehoovie · 03-09-2026, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

I don’t know what you have there but I don’t believe it is a H&C distributor. Too many differences. Pic is of a H&C distributor.

KiWinUS · 03-09-2026, 03:17 PM

Thanks Pete.

blownford · 03-11-2026, 07:11 AM

Thanks KiWinUS, that's what I think. Looks homemade. No HC data plate or holes where it would have been mounted. Even if I found a HC rotor, no way it would mount on this. Definitely has a 4 lobe cam yet stock rotor??

I got this from Vern Tardel,it was not expensive

03-06-2026, 08:56 AM	#2
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 3,416	Re: Harmon Collins? Takes Benedix aircraft magneto points, rotor and intermediate plate are near impossible to find in usable condition. I believe you would be money ahead to find a complete unit if this is what you want.if in fact it is a H&C distributor. Last edited by KiWinUS; 03-06-2026 at 09:19 AM.

03-06-2026, 08:58 PM	#4
highbeams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 961	Re: Harmon Collins? Appears to be well used? Well, just file the points as my father did in the '30s, '40s, '50s!

03-07-2026, 12:29 PM	#5
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,906	Re: Harmon Collins? I agree with Kiwi Tony - given it is missing all the hard to get parts . . . you're FAR better off finding one in good condition and then having it rebuilt by somebody who knows these units.

03-09-2026, 07:56 AM	#6
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,394	Re: Harmon Collins? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Should have a information tag on the bottom if it is HC if the tag has been remove there should be two small rivets that held the tag in place or the two small holes for the rivets. Your also missing the spacer on the top of the main shaft that HC used.

03-09-2026, 08:06 AM	#7
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,227	Re: Harmon Collins? Not sure how much you paid, but recently there was one completely restored with really nice cap and rotor with two Mallory 6V coils for $500 shipped. Like Tony & Dale mentioned, I'm afraid yours will cost you much more after you source all of the required parts. They are out there, so take your time and find a better one. You'll be miles ahead. Last edited by Tim Ayers; 03-09-2026 at 08:18 AM.

03-09-2026, 03:17 PM	#10
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 3,416	Re: Harmon Collins? Thanks Pete.

03-11-2026, 07:11 AM	#11
blownford Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 71	Re: Harmon Collins? Thanks KiWinUS, that's what I think. Looks homemade. No HC data plate or holes where it would have been mounted. Even if I found a HC rotor, no way it would mount on this. Definitely has a 4 lobe cam yet stock rotor?? I got this from Vern Tardel,it was not expensive