Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-12-2025, 01:23 PM   #1
Henry Ford IV
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2025
Posts: 73
Default Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

I have all new wiring for my car, 1935 Ford 2 door sedan, I don't think there is a wire for the distributor. A wire from the starting switch to the resistor, then a wire from the resistor to the coil. Two wires. Does anyone sell them new or do you use two old pieces of wire?
Henry Ford IV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2025, 03:27 PM   #2
The Art Doctor
Senior Member
 
The Art Doctor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2025
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 226
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

You can get cloth covered wire in a lot of gauges and color options by the foot here: https://tonsperformance.com/collecti...d-primary-wire
The Art Doctor is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-12-2025, 04:07 PM   #3
Henry Ford IV
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2025
Posts: 73
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

Will do. Thank you!
Henry Ford IV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2025, 04:16 PM   #4
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 5,164
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

Am I the only one not following the OP's issue. What do you mean by "no distributor wire"? There is only ONE wire that goes to the distributor and that is the one that attaches at the coil (IF you have an "original" 35 distributor and coil). SO Is that what you are saying you are missing??? IF so, Bauer Electronics out in Oregon, talk to Chris, OR for just those two wires mentioned in your post....Tyree Harris in Bumpass Virginia, His contact info is in the V8 Times, either on can provide the "correct" wire with ALL the proper terminals to the correct length

Last edited by rockfla; 12-12-2025 at 04:22 PM.
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2025, 05:54 PM   #5
Mart
Senior Member
 
Mart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Solihull, England.
Posts: 9,239
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

The connection between the coil and the distributor is internal within the unit. If it is stock.
Stock is a helmet type distributor and the coil is bolted to the top of it. Both high tension and low tension connections are within the unit.
Mart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2025, 06:43 PM   #6
Henry Ford IV
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2025
Posts: 73
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Yes, Rockfla, I think I need the wires from T Harris. I am working on several things at once. No wiring at all in the car. I have all new wire harnesses. In looking at schematics, I see there are two individual wires that involve the battery to coil. I don't think I have these. I think you nailed it by saying Tyree Harris has the wires with proper terminals.
Henry Ford IV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2025, 07:13 PM   #7
ford38v8
Senior Member
 
ford38v8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,634
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

You need to identify the engine’s ignition system in your 1935 Ford. There are several very different iterations of “distributor wires” over the years, any one of which may be in your car. Pictures of your distributor and coil are required for this identification.
__________________
Alan
ford38v8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2025, 09:03 PM   #8
JayChicago
Senior Member
 
JayChicago's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,028
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Ford IV View Post
A wire from the starting switch to the resistor, then a wire from the resistor to the coil.
Guys, I think there is some confusion here. I think the above sentence from the original post indicates what he is missing.

If you have a new dash harness, I would think the wire from the resistor to the coil should be in the harness along with the other wires that go to the engine. Not sure if wire from ignition switch to resistor is in the dash harness on a 35; I guess it could be an individual wire a couple feet long.
JayChicago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2025, 09:32 PM   #9
Henry Ford IV
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2025
Posts: 73
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

That may be , Jay. I will have to check the wiring tomorrow. I am sure I don't have the individual piece of wire.
Henry Ford IV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2025, 07:19 AM   #10
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 5,164
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

Quote:
Originally Posted by JayChicago View Post
Guys, I think there is some confusion here. I think the above sentence from the original post indicates what he is missing.

If you have a new dash harness, I would think the wire from the resistor to the coil should be in the harness along with the other wires that go to the engine. Not sure if wire from ignition switch to resistor is in the dash harness on a 35; I guess it could be an individual wire a couple feet long.
Jay, hence my post…..and really a combination of 38Fords post too, vague and not sure just what distributor coil combination he’s dealing with?
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2025, 08:46 AM   #11
Terry,OH
Senior Member
 
Terry,OH's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 5,394
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

Part of the under dash harness goes through the firewall, on the engine side, the harness has a red wire it goes through the spark plug conduit and exits near the distributor it gets connected to the coil. Under the dash, the harness has a red wire that goes to one side of the ignition coil resistor, it is the only wire on that side of the resistor.
There is a heavy yellow wire at the start switch that goes to the ammeter and through it's cage on the rear, non stop it then goes to the fuse block and ends at one terminal. at the same terminal of the fuse block is a yellow black wire that goes to the ignition ON/OFF switch. The second terminal of the ON/OFF switch has a red wire that goes to the second side of the ignition resistor, at that terminal is a second black green wire that goes to the oil pressure gauge.
That is the ignition circuit.

Last edited by Terry,OH; 12-13-2025 at 09:10 AM.
Terry,OH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2025, 02:11 PM   #12
Henry Ford IV
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2025
Posts: 73
Default Re: Distributor Wire 1935 Ford

My God! If I go slow, I can follow that, Terry! I laid the wires out on the table, and followed your narrative. Yes, that works out. I can follow it on the schematics. Where I thought I needed a separate wire, I don't. It is kinda counter intuitive to me, but clear now!!!!!!
Henry Ford IV is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:35 AM.