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 05-13-2020, 04:36 PM   #1
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Distributor Machine Build

Anyone got an old distributor machine in their shop that still works? I would like to check the curve on a few distributors that i have.

Last edited by DBSHELTON; 05-30-2020 at 07:26 AM.
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2020, 06:17 PM   #2
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Distributor machine

Nope, ours disappeared decades ago. very useful machines.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-13-2020, 07:30 PM   #3
larrys40
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: St Charles , Missouri
Posts: 1,994
Default Re: Distributor machine

I use a Ford heyer unit. Flathead v8’s with universal and longshaft capabilities
Larry
larrys40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2020, 09:22 PM   #4
Mikeinnj
Senior Member
 
Mikeinnj's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern New Jersey
Posts: 1,262
Default Re: Distributor machine

You can build your own Distributor Test Machine for under $100.

Here is a link on how to do that,.....http://www.ourdigitalmags.com/public...articleBrowser

Mike in New Jersey
Mikeinnj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2020, 07:28 AM   #5
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Distributor machine

Thanks Mike, I wonder how I could get the photos to show up in the article?
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2020, 01:08 PM   #6
KUDZUVIPER
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Elgin, IL/MID-MO
Posts: 714
Default Re: Distributor machine

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
For DB, click on upper right corner of page (open book), it will take you to the article with photos.
KUDZUVIPER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2020, 02:32 PM   #7
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Distributor machine

Quote:
Originally Posted by KUDZUVIPER View Post
For DB, click on upper right corner of page (open book), it will take you to the article with photos.

Duh, thanks for helping me out.
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2020, 06:58 AM   #8
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Distributor machine

This has turned into a build thread. I may be over thinking this but I have a digital Automotive tester I want to use on my homemade distributor machine to check dwell and RPM. Is says to connect the COM lead to the battery Neg terminal and the V or + lead on the meter to the Coil - terminal. On 6v Pos ground this would this be correct?
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2020, 08:16 AM   #9
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: Distributor machine

Buy a timing indicator from the vendors,verify TDC and mark the crankshaft pulley and set the indicator.Install a point impulse tach (cheapie tach and dwell meter) shine timing light on mark and rev engine a mechanical advance distributor should increase 1 degree per 100 rpm,so for instance 20 degrees advance at 2000 rpm.I verify at 1000,1500 and 2400 rpm.If your engine is stock other than the distributor it is very tolerant of timing deviation,in other words a basic check of the curve is sufficient.As you raise volumetric effciency through performance upgrades your timing 'tolerance' gets shorter.But in either case you dont have to get as precise as the article does.
Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2020, 09:39 AM   #10
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Distributor machine

Thanks. Still not sure how to hook up my meter correctly.
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2020, 09:46 AM   #11
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: Distributor machine

A tach and dwell meter? Black is ground,green(or red)goes to the points side of the coil.
Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2020, 04:58 AM   #12
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Distributor machine

That didn't work
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2020, 07:43 AM   #13
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: Distributor machine

post a picture of your meter
Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2020, 10:52 AM   #14
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Distributor machine

Quote:
Originally Posted by DBSHELTON View Post
That didn't work
Try reversing the leads.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2020, 05:59 PM   #15
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Distributor machine

I think my meter is bad. Reads very inconsistent.
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2020, 06:51 AM   #16
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Distributor machine

Found out I had a loose connection in my meter. Correct hookup for Dwell/Tach for 6v POS Ground is Red to Ground and Black to Points.
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2020, 07:22 AM   #17
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Distributor Machine Build

Photos attached
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DM3.jpg (117.8 KB, 85 views)
File Type: jpg DM4.jpg (124.0 KB, 67 views)

Last edited by DBSHELTON; 05-30-2020 at 07:27 AM.
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2020, 07:54 AM   #18
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: Distributor machine

My apologies on polarity,I set my car up 12v neg ground.
Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2020, 09:01 AM   #19
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Distributor machine

No apology needed. It's all good.
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

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 02:18 AM.