Crab style Distributor Cap
 

Will the crab style replace the Y style cap that has the 8 plug wires jammed into the two holes? With out to much modification, 1948 ford with 59 engine,dont know the model of the dist. its stock two bolt. Thanks for any help.

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

Yes,but the distributor has to have two clips to hold it on rather than the bail like your dist. would have.

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

The stock 46 y-style disty has two hold down clips. There was a bail on the helmet version.

[Edit: there is also a bail over the top cap in addition to the clips holding the lower cap]

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

Ok thanks,do you know if the rotor's are the same

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

No, they are different. Most ford suppliers will have both types.

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

The '42 crab cap distributor had two spring clips that held the cap in place. The rabbit ear cap with two openings for wires had a single bail that held its two caps to the distributor body. The earlier helmet distributors had two bails, one on each side to hold its two inner and two outer caps in place.
Many of the suppliers sell a kit with all parts and pieces required to convert the rabbit ear caps back to a crab cap. You also need to change the rotor.

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

All I know is that my 46 rabbit ear distributor cap has two hold down clips and a bail over the upper cap.

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

Yup, you just need the two clips and the rotor that are made for the crab cap to convert the two part dist cap. Check to make sure the crab wires will clear the belt(s).

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

I have a crab type distributor on my French motor.
The clip conversion parts are easily available.
I bought a new set of plug wires and spec'd 90 degree terminals coming out of the cap. This keeps the wires out of the way of the pulleys.

Mart.

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

John,
Before you reinstall the distributor on the motor check for rotor internal
interference with the cap. The crab cap registers on the outside of the distributor
housing and the later type cap registers on the inside of the distributor housing.
Charlie ny

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

Third Generation Ford has the clips you need and they also have the cap and rotor. Great people to deal with , they have a ebay store......

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1942-46...BXaHwB&vxp=mtr

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

I'll second that!! Just received an order from 3rd Gen, and will place another soon.

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

You are correct. There are two small bail spring clips on the outside of inner cap, and one large bail that goes over top of the outer cap.

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

The rotor is the same as the 49 - 53 rotor.

Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

Thanks for all the info. Parts are on order.


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Re: Crab style Distributor Cap
 

there is a different set of wire looms used on the crab dist. eng.if you want a neat set up you will need them