Vacuum Brake Plunger Tip

[sanford]

Has anyone found a suitable substitute for the leather tip that's used on the end of the vacuum brake plunger on the 1932-48 V-8 distributors? No one seems to sell them.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

we make ours using a hole cut out punch and some leather scraps........then soak in marvel oil and use grease , seem to last a long time....

[sanford]

Great advice Bubba. I'm sure I have belts that have shrunk over the years so I can't wear them any longer! I'll give it a try.

[supereal]

Many of the replacements now sold use a plastic tip. With today's gas, the utility of the friction retard system is hardly necessary. Years ago, when "knock" (detonation) was heard on hard pulls, the cure was to increase the spring pressure via the adjuster on the top of the distributor. Intake manifold vacuum was supposed to hold the piston back from contact spring plate until an open throttle reduced the vacuum and allowed the piston to be pressed down by the spring. The high octane content of today's gas makes this crude device obsolete, and often interfere with engine efficiency.

[sanford]

I always back out the adjustment until there is very little pressure on the plunger. It was useful back in the 40 octane days.

[Ian NZ]

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I would not place any oil on the leather insert part of the plunger, because the leather plunger was originally made too slow the disc down to retard the ignition when you are accelerating and starting the engine. I set this Vacuum plunger at about 15d Vacuum.

[Ian NZ]

i punch the leather insert for the plunger out of 1/4" thick Leather, available at a sadler.

[Binx]

If you know of a shoe repair store in your area they can cut and grind one out of shoe sole leather. Pay cash.

Lonnie