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01-12-2019, 04:40 PM | #21 |
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Re: Dual distributors
This is the dual Flathead V8 timing cover I make.
Last edited by tjw; 01-12-2019 at 05:01 PM. |
01-12-2019, 04:47 PM | #22 | |
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Re: Dual distributors
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Last edited by tjw; 01-12-2019 at 08:01 PM. |
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01-12-2019, 04:52 PM | #23 |
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Re: Dual distributors
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01-12-2019, 04:59 PM | #24 |
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Re: Dual distributors
The old Elco/Nash dual fire that used to Autolite 16 distributor are likely hard to find parts for now days so that set up will do the trick without worrying about finding parts. One of Bubbas threads, https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...0169&showall=1
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01-12-2019, 05:44 PM | #25 |
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Re: Dual distributors
Well we bought one of these back a few years ago, and couldn't figger out how to make it work. The distributors didn't line up with the gear on the cam. Was also told we had to have a CCW distributor for the drivers side, so I got a Pontiac dist. I could see this was going to be to complicated to work for us. My stupid factor is pretty high. That cover is pretty expensive. just how much does a working dual distributor system like that cost?
With my system you could run two stock distributors, and with the right carb should work just fine. |
01-12-2019, 07:28 PM | #26 | |
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Re: Dual distributors
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Last edited by tjw; 01-12-2019 at 08:10 PM. |
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01-12-2019, 10:52 PM | #27 |
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Re: Dual distributors
I certainly apologize to you and your efforts here. The unit we had was from Texas. I see that you use a CCw rotation dist on the drivers side tho. I was the one that brought up the use of the Pontiac distributor. It has a CCW rotation and can be used in the SBC distributors we use in the fatheads. I wouldn't have used these Mallory dists as they are heard to modify the advance, where as the Chevy units have adjustable vacuum and N
Mechanical advances. I understand the cost of producing anything, especially a part for a small customer base. I wish you well. Yje unit I made wasjust an exersize , just to see if i could do it.. |
01-13-2019, 01:16 PM | #28 |
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Re: Dual distributors
I have the same dual-magneto setup. I've always wondered what the original application was - as the mounting bolt-pattern does not match the flathead Ford timing cover. Was there a DIFFERENT timing cover in Europe that I don't know about?
My guess has always been an aircraft application of some sort - due to all the aircraft style shielding on the caps (metal covers over the STD Scintilla cap) as well as the original braided/shielded spark plug wires. |
01-13-2019, 01:21 PM | #29 |
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Re: Dual distributors
This makes a lot of sense in that the second distributor can spin the opposite direction as all it is doing is transferring the spark to the second set of plugs. It is NOT involved in actually firing the coils. Therefore there only needs to be an advance mechanism in the one distributor (and a single points plate for that matter).
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01-13-2019, 02:36 PM | #30 | |
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Re: Dual distributors
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Cheers Tony This is a casting I have had for a long time supposedly made by the late great Mickey Thompson Last edited by KiWinUS; 01-13-2019 at 04:49 PM. |
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01-13-2019, 05:23 PM | #31 |
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Re: Dual distributors
Now B&S, that;s a great idea, fire both coils fron the lead distributor. Then both distributors would have the same advance curve, but could you delay the secondary distributor a few degs. I have to think about this. with the gears mounted in the system the secondary dist is CCW
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01-13-2019, 05:55 PM | #32 | |
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Re: Dual distributors
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01-13-2019, 06:07 PM | #33 | |
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Re: Dual distributors
Quote:
I'd probably do it on a distributor machine - though I'm sure real-world experimentation would come into play as well. Also, you'd need to synchronize/time the rotor on the second distributor - so that it is in the right place (given the cap terminals) - such that you're not trying to jump too big of a gap (really hard on the coil and can cause a spark to jump to ground inside the distributor itself.). Probably ZERO horsepower to be gained . . . only bragging rights! LOL |
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01-13-2019, 06:32 PM | #34 |
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Re: Dual distributors
There's definitely power to be gained on some engines with dual plugs, but maybe not flathead Fords. Race Harleys have done it since the 70s, I had my first dual plug setup on a shovelhead about 77 or 78. Shovelheads have huge hemispherical chambers that resemble a Chrysler Hemi, race versions have big domes on the pistons. Putting a plug on each side of the chamber does gain power, and allows slightly reduced timing advance. Curent HD engines have much smaller chambers and gain less from dual plugs. Staggering timing has never been much help on any HDs I've dealt with. When Hemis were competitive in Pro Stock dual plugs were in popular use. All current fuel Hemis use dual plugs, there was even some experimentation with 3 plugs before it was outlawed by NHRA.
To use a Nash 16 plug distributor on a flathead requires a custom point cam, at least the one I've seen running did. |
01-13-2019, 06:56 PM | #35 |
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Re: Dual distributors
Aircraft engines were hemispherical way back. The fuel mix swirls in them and the twin redundant ignition systems ignite the spark plugs at 180 degrees from each plug center inside the cylinder. The flathead has more than a swirl in the chamber due to it's design but the fuel mixture does get burned efficiently. That's one of the reasons it doesn't need as much advance as an overhead valve engine does.
The really large engines have two magnetos and two distributors. The magnetos provide the high tension and the distributors clock it to the correct cylinders. The big Wright R-4360 has 28 cylinders in 4 rows of 7 cylinders each. That makes for 56 spark plugs to fire for each double rotation of the crank. The really complex one was the Chrysler Multibank engine in one of the M4 Sherman tank models. It had five 6-cylinder engine blocks joined into one casting. That's 30 cylinders to fire in two rotations. It was an amazing design. You can imagine the 5 ignition systems on that baby. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_A57_multibank |
01-13-2019, 07:27 PM | #36 |
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Re: Dual distributors
When the weather gets alittle warmer, and we get the car on the road. Well have time to answer some of these questions. But at least we have a simple unit to work with. I have several SBC dist with elect modulus in them to putz with.
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01-14-2019, 08:10 AM | #37 |
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Re: Dual distributors
How about longer plug wires on the second distributor to delay the second spark?
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01-14-2019, 09:29 AM | #38 |
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Re: Dual distributors
Somebody's been hittin' the good stuff.
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01-14-2019, 09:32 AM | #39 | |
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Re: Dual distributors
Quote:
JC Whitney sold a booster to slow down the spark when it was too fast!! |
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01-14-2019, 11:59 AM | #40 |
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Re: Dual distributors
Wonder if the cam gear has to held in place using a better method than is found on the OEM engine which, I think, is just a press fit?
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