helmet distributor
 

Since Jim Linder ( Bubba's Ignition) is no longer doing distributors, who rebuilds and properly sets up the helmet type distributor. I have a friend with a 39 Ford deluxe, and he is having problems with the dist. I do not know anything about them, all my stuff is the 8ba style flatheads. I do not know of anyone here in the Anchorage/Palmer/Wasilla area of Alaska who has a dist. machine to properly set them up. anyone have any recommendations? All info appreciated. Thanks

Re: helmet distributor
 

Michael Driskell at 3rd Generation does these distributors. Recommended.
Phil NZ

Re: helmet distributor
 

any contact info for Michael Driscoll at 3rd Generation?

Re: helmet distributor
 

It is Michael Driskell (note spelling) in McMinnville, TN. It is best to call and talk directly to Michael at (844) 327-5988. He does a great job, quick turnaround.

Ken

Re: helmet distributor
 

i believe NY charlie does them too. [email protected]

Re: helmet distributor
 

https://thirdgenauto.com/
Google is your friend.

Re: helmet distributor
 

Go with CharlieNY

Re: helmet distributor
 

Alaska Jim, what problems does your buddy have with his distributor?

(By the way, Google is NOT "your friend" ... tracks and records everything you do on your computer.)

Re: helmet distributor
 

Michael Driskell @ Third Generation Automotive, aka "35fordtn" here on Fordbarn, and Charlie Schwendler, aka "Charlie ny" also here on Fordbarn, are both highly recommend individuals for early Ford V8 distributor repairs and timing set up, plus many other services. Both are also long standing members here on Fordbarn and can be contacted using the Fordbarn PM/Email system.

Re: helmet distributor
 

Need to call, emails, text, PM, etc will not work! Call

Re: helmet distributor
 

Most likely will not work with Michael, need to call.

Re: helmet distributor
 

Thanks everyone for the information, I will pass it along. I have done business with Charlie before, but was not aware he did early distributors.

Re: helmet distributor
 

Skip in Florida does the Stock type Ford Helmet Distrs. He has done
them for 25 years and does 4 or 5 every day. He uses the original
Ford~Heyer strobe machine that all the ford dealers and machine
shops used. He sets them to the original Ford specs and they usually
don't need any adjustments. If there is a ping you just move the
little adjustment screw on the side. Price is $60.00 if no major parts
are required. A running distributor usually don't need parts. G.M.

Re: helmet distributor
 

hey guys this is alaska jims friend with the helmet distributor. i just figured out today that my left side rotor cap was moved the tab that holds it in place must have broke off. i moved it back to where it needs to be however it is still retarded as in timing snd if i move it closer to where it should be it doesnt like to run well. my thought is maybe the vacuum advance is not working properly?any advice is welcome. also i do have petronix on it and did their tests.

Re: helmet distributor
 

jwharton, good that you provided some information on the actual problem.

Sounds like something you can handle yourself and probably do not need to send out your distributor.

Is this a new install ... or have you been driving the car with it running well until this happened?

Did you install the Pertronix yourself?

There's a good chance that replacing the cap and a little adjusting on the initial advance will fix you up. (There's a tab with marks on it and a set screw on the side of the unit ... where is that set?)

Re: helmet distributor
 

ive been driving it actually the second distributor ive installed. i installed the petronix myself called the petronix people and did a few of their tests. the weird thing is that it is fully retarded and thats the best way it will run currently. when the new caps come in im hoping it will take care of the problem otherwise i suspect the only other thing could be the vacuum advance your thoughts?

Re: helmet distributor
 

Petronix does not work well on the early distributors. The timing is hard to set due to the fact they located the tab in the wrong spot... 32/48 distributors do not have a vacuum advance. They have a vacuum brake. This is certainly not your issue. What exactly is your issue? A miss?

-Michael Driskell

Re: helmet distributor
 

OK, Michael is on the case. He has the specific Pertronix experience that'll help you.

Re: helmet distributor
 

As another note.. I have seen quite a few petronix units in the 32-41's fail.. So much so, that I refuse to install them anymore. Points will last you thousands of trouble free miles if setup properly.

Re: helmet distributor
 

Amen, to that.....and I might add.... a known good quality condenser along with that good quality set of points, and all components set up correctly, are very crucial in getting those many trouble free miles.

Re: helmet distributor
 

i moved away from points because ive had two failed distributors and several sets of points. that being said it very well could be the quality of the parts. ive bought them all from the early ford store.

Re: helmet distributor
 

I cant see how one of your dist caps that has rotated slightly because the locating lug is broken would have any effect at all on your ignition timing. How do you know that the ignition timing is retarded? Also are you 6 or 12 volts? Original coil on top of dist or an adaptor coil used? If points are out of adjustment then that will effect ignition timing and so if your Pertronix pick up unit is fitted slightly out of position that will alter timing. As others have stated it would be advisable to stay away from electronics. These Ford V8 distributors have worked very well for the last eighty years so what are you trying to improve on? Regards, Kevin.

Re: helmet distributor
 

Oh boy I just ordered this from petronix from what I'm reading I need to call them Monday will let people know what they have to say I have a 41 helmet dist I'm dealing with

Re: helmet distributor
 

Has anyone addressed this issue with pertronix ie: tab in wrong location & failure rate if so I would like to know what they have said. I'm calling them Monday but the more information I have the better.

Bob

Re: helmet distributor
 

Bob it’s been five years years since I’ve used one on a helmet and I should have stated that from the get go. Back then I called and explained both issues give a “gee you are the first to complain” response.

Maybe they have since fixed the issues, but in the past year I have at least five sent In to the shop to convert back to points due to failure. Not sure how old each unit was though.

I personally think on the early flatheads were the distributor mounts to the front of the wngine, the my absorb a lot of heat and that may be the issue. As for strombergs electronic distributor though, I personally haven’t seen a failure out of those yet.

Re: helmet distributor
 

They look cool, anyone have any experience with one?

Re: helmet distributor
 

Noticed a thread on these distributors, guess looks aren't everything!! :)

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261218

Re: helmet distributor
 

I'm waiting to hear reports on the Mallory distributor for 3 bolt engines and I don't think I've seen one here yet. Has anyone here used one?

Re: helmet distributor
 

Well my brothers and I winter project is done and say stick with points and stock distributor (ideally with 11A stamped on the end). I only have one 11A the other backups are the older advance "brake" drsign. Back to points my brother and I spent 2 mths working on a design which would strickly test for dwell and dwell time. It was a very interisting project but led me to the final conclusion of sticking with points.

Re: helmet distributor
 

Mike , I agree we dont use the early ford petronixs as well...........:eek: