The Ford Barn

Pilotdave · 11-22-2018, 08:21 PM

Happy Thanksgiving!

There are many references to shorting issues if the armored cable is screwed into the distributor housing too far. This is one of the bits of wisdom that begs further explanation! What specifically is grounding against what?

Thanks much!
Dave

Tom Wesenberg · 11-22-2018, 08:40 PM

The bus bar on the lower plate in the distributor can be pushed into the side of the casting. Repro bus bars are thinner than originals on the ones I've seen. 2 or 3 turns in is enough for the popout end.

1930 coupe · 11-22-2018, 09:09 PM

What Tom says about lower plates being very flimsily is very true, however a few years ago Bratton's started making a very high quality lower plate with the correct thickness metal that fits properly, and if installed properly with the fiber washer on the condenser, will not short out. You can put a screwdriver in the hole where the cable goes and push very hard and nothing moves or shorts out. Got to give Bratton's a attaboy for making a quality part.

Pilotdave · 11-23-2018, 07:47 AM

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Thanks, both of you. I'll plan to not over-tighten.......

11-22-2018, 08:21 PM	#1
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Armored Cable Question Happy Thanksgiving! There are many references to shorting issues if the armored cable is screwed into the distributor housing too far. This is one of the bits of wisdom that begs further explanation! What specifically is grounding against what? Thanks much! Dave

11-22-2018, 08:40 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Armored Cable Question The bus bar on the lower plate in the distributor can be pushed into the side of the casting. Repro bus bars are thinner than originals on the ones I've seen. 2 or 3 turns in is enough for the popout end.

11-22-2018, 09:09 PM	#3
1930 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 226	Re: Armored Cable Question What Tom says about lower plates being very flimsily is very true, however a few years ago Bratton's started making a very high quality lower plate with the correct thickness metal that fits properly, and if installed properly with the fiber washer on the condenser, will not short out. You can put a screwdriver in the hole where the cable goes and push very hard and nothing moves or shorts out. Got to give Bratton's a attaboy for making a quality part.

11-23-2018, 07:47 AM	#4
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Armored Cable Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks, both of you. I'll plan to not over-tighten.......