The Ford Barn

Bad back · 02-05-2026, 01:53 PM

Hi all,
I bought a modern distributor from Snyder for my Model A. When I fitted it the rotor arm was pointing at number 2 (according to the numbers on the cap).
The engine is at top dead centre on number one cylinder (confirmed with the TDC bolt and visually checking the position of number 1 cylinder and valves.
Is it possible to remove the top centre screw and rotate the cam that operates the points to align correctly with number 1 on the cap?

Werner · 02-05-2026, 02:01 PM

Hey,

rotating the cam in the distributor won't change anything. As I understand you right, the ignition cables are reversed. Or the distributor is 90 degrees wrong.

rfitzpatrick · 02-05-2026, 02:02 PM

Bad Back: Yes

Synchro909 · 02-05-2026, 04:20 PM

Bad Back: Whether you can do that depends on the design of the distributor. If it is like the original Model A one, then YES, it an be done. Otherwise, you may have to use a modern style cap with wire plug leads and connect them accordingly.
A picture of the distributor with the cap off would help.

Bad back · 02-24-2026, 01:29 PM

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Hi all, as always your time and knowledge is appreciated. Synchro909 - it is the type like the original, found a Youtube video and all sorted.
Getting close to starting it up (fingers crossed)

02-05-2026, 01:53 PM	#1
Bad back Junior Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 6	Modern distributor Hi all, I bought a modern distributor from Snyder for my Model A. When I fitted it the rotor arm was pointing at number 2 (according to the numbers on the cap). The engine is at top dead centre on number one cylinder (confirmed with the TDC bolt and visually checking the position of number 1 cylinder and valves. Is it possible to remove the top centre screw and rotate the cam that operates the points to align correctly with number 1 on the cap?

02-05-2026, 02:01 PM	#2
Werner Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Germany, near Aachen Posts: 1,312	Re: Modern distributor Hey, rotating the cam in the distributor won't change anything. As I understand you right, the ignition cables are reversed. Or the distributor is 90 degrees wrong. __________________ Beste Gruesse aus Deutschland, Werner Ford Model A, Roadster, 1928 Citroen 11 CV, 1947 Hercules W 2000, 1976; (with NSU-Wankel Rotary Engine), Canadian version Last edited by Werner; 02-05-2026 at 04:03 PM.

02-05-2026, 02:02 PM	#3
rfitzpatrick Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Coral Springs, Florida Posts: 747	Re: Modern distributor Bad Back: Yes Last edited by rfitzpatrick; 02-05-2026 at 02:02 PM. Reason: my mistake

02-05-2026, 04:20 PM	#4
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,432	Re: Modern distributor Bad Back: Whether you can do that depends on the design of the distributor. If it is like the original Model A one, then YES, it an be done. Otherwise, you may have to use a modern style cap with wire plug leads and connect them accordingly. A picture of the distributor with the cap off would help. __________________ When all is said and done, more is said than done. That's why we judge people on what they do, not what they say. I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. If I am not in trouble, I've done something wrong.

02-24-2026, 01:29 PM	#5
Bad back Junior Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 6	Re: Modern distributor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hi all, as always your time and knowledge is appreciated. Synchro909 - it is the type like the original, found a Youtube video and all sorted. Getting close to starting it up (fingers crossed)