Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-24-2023, 07:43 AM   #1
mrraford
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 190
Default Distributor point plate repair

Over the years, I've accumulated a pile of distributor plates that to some degree the fiber insulator plate has dissapeared or has become damaged.
Anybody here know whether these are reproduced? I have some very nice plates that just need a bit of TLC to be redeployed.

MRR
mrraford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2023, 07:54 AM   #2
ndnchf
Senior Member
 
ndnchf's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 764
Default Re: Distributor point plate repair

Can't help with the fiber plate. But just as important is making sure the center hole in the upper plate has no slop on the center casting. It pivots on this and any slop will translate into point gap variation. I have a box full of old upper plates and all have some wear at this location.

If you have bunch of these plates and at least some have no appreciable wear on the center hole, you could probably transfer the fiber pieces from the worn plates to the good ones.

Last edited by ndnchf; 04-24-2023 at 08:29 AM.
ndnchf is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-24-2023, 11:46 AM   #3
Marshall V. Daut
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 2,112
Default Re: Distributor point plate repair

Go to your local hardware store and go through the boxes with various sizes of fiber washers. There ought to be at least one that is close enough to replace the original washer on the upper plate. If the thickness isn't enough, try two washers. If the outside diameter is too wide, either ignore it or trim to suit yourself.
Marshall
Marshall V. Daut is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2023, 11:50 AM   #4
Brentwood Bob
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: brentwood, ca
Posts: 4,247
Default Re: Distributor point plate repair

Preening the perimeter of the center hole can sometimes compensate for wear. Dress with a file. Same goes for the tabs that ride in the outside edge of the casting.
Brentwood Bob is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2023, 12:43 PM   #5
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Senior Member
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,520
Default Re: Distributor point plate repair

Is this what you are looking for??

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...d=976345&cat=0
__________________
.

BRENT in 10-uh-C
.
www.model-a-ford.com
...(...Finally Updated!! )

.
BRENT in 10-uh-C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2023, 02:52 PM   #6
chrs1961815
Senior Member
 
chrs1961815's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Spring Grove, Illinois
Posts: 1,371
Default Re: Distributor point plate repair

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
He is talking about the fiber insulator plate that is riveted to the plate. I haven't tried replacing one yet as I have a huge stock of original plates but I might try it one day. One would have to find an insulator board that is the same thickness and cut it to shape, drill holes and rivet it back in.
__________________
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
chrs1961815 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2023, 03:03 PM   #7
ndnchf
Senior Member
 
ndnchf's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 764
Default Re: Distributor point plate repair

The problem is just about every original plate out there has a worn center hole which will cause point gap variation. There is an excellent reproduction of the upper plate that fits perfectly with virtually no slop, and its under $10. I just used one and it is great.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...6336&cat=41666
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20230424_054206_copy_567x468.jpg (67.4 KB, 46 views)
ndnchf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2023, 04:13 PM   #8
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Senior Member
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,520
Default Re: Distributor point plate repair

Quote:
Originally Posted by chrs1961815 View Post
He is talking about the fiber insulator plate that is riveted to the plate. I haven't tried replacing one yet as I have a huge stock of original plates but I might try it one day. One would have to find an insulator board that is the same thickness and cut it to shape, drill holes and rivet it back in.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ndnchf View Post
The problem is just about every original plate out there has a worn center hole which will cause point gap variation. There is an excellent reproduction of the upper plate that fits perfectly with virtually no slop, and its under $10. I just used one and it is great.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...6336&cat=41666
Thanks for the cue on that as I was not thinking about that item. Putting myself in the shoes of someone who needed one -or some, I would draw it in CAD and then either 3D print one or two, -or have them waterjetted out of a sheet of material from McMaster-Carr.
__________________
.

BRENT in 10-uh-C
.
www.model-a-ford.com
...(...Finally Updated!! )

.
BRENT in 10-uh-C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2023, 07:08 PM   #9
bobbader
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Huntington, NY
Posts: 271
Default Re: Distributor point plate repair

The insulator itself might be easy enough to fabricate. It's also fairly easy to rivet onto the plate. The big issue is the post on which the points rotate would need to be fabricated and riveted to the new insulator. I don't think it would be easy to remove it from an old insulator and reuse. As posted, the Snyder repo is pretty good for the money. I know, I know .......... it's hard to not be able to reuse an original part that you're hoping might be brought back to life.
bobbader 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 01:11 PM.