Source for control rod end caps

[alexiskai]

Does anyone know where I could get a pair of the end caps with springs that fit on the ends of the throttle, spark, and carb control rods?

Reason is that I'm having a problem with my Winfield 7:1 head. The relocated #3 spark plug is directly underneath the spark advance rod, and even after coating the rod with liquid electrical tape, I'm still getting sparks jumping from the plug terminal to the rod.

So I thought perhaps I could make a new rod out of wood or plastic – but I need the end caps. Ideas?

[Ray in La Mesa]

Can you cut & weld the rod to fit, longer or shorter?

[katy]

Picture?

[Stew Masche]

Is there enough clearance that you can slit a piece of small vacuum hose and slip it over the rod?

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by Stew Masche

Is there enough clearance that you can slit a piece of small vacuum hose and slip it over the rod?

Maybe, or like a plastic spacer? I just wasn't sure whether those would provide more insulation than air.

Originally Posted by Ray in La Mesa

Can you cut & weld the rod to fit, longer or shorter?

I can cut and lengthen the rod, the problem is the rod itself – it's metallic, so the spark wants to jump to ground through it.

[katy]

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Maybe replace the distributor body and cap w/a Model B cap and wires?

https://www.musclecarsandclassics.ca...p-modern-style

[nkaminar]

The only source I know of is the rods themselves. I have seen the rods bent to clear the sparkplug leads. Otherwise, I think you will have to buy some strong plastic rod from some place like McMasters Carr and substitute a length of the metal rod for the plastic rod. McMasters Carr sells parts that could be used to attach the metal ends to the plastic rods.

Plastic rods are here: https://www.mcmaster.com/rods/plastic/

Rod connectors are here: https://www.mcmaster.com/shaft-colla...ft-connectors/

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by katy

Maybe replace the distributor body and cap w/a Model B cap and wires?

https://www.musclecarsandclassics.ca...p-modern-style

No, I only need this solution to work for a couple months. After that I'm swapping in a B distributor (same body though) and I won't need the advance rod any more. Looking for the least-disruptive option. Plus I really like the look of the exposed plug terminals.

[Y-Blockhead]

I made my throttle rod adjustable (for my own situation). Maybe you could fab something that would place the rod farther away from the spark?

[alexiskai]

I already have the set screw adjuster that some vendors sell. I can't move the rod away from the plug terminal without bending the rod, which doesn't really work because there's no way to secure the rod in a particular orientation – the bend just flops over when you move it.

I'm going to try Stew's suggestion and buy a rubber vacuum cap from AutoZone. Then I'll cut the end off and try sliding it up the rod from the point where I cut it to the point over the plug terminal.

Will report back.

[Bud]

I used heat shrinkable tubing over my spark plug connectors to prevent shorting from #3 to the distributor body. It looks professional when done. Just slide over your existing straight control rod and apply a little heat from a propane torch. The tubing can be obtained in various sizes and lengths.

[Jersey Mike]

I had the same problem. I made no.3 connector longer. Soldered 2 connectors together so you could bend it out of the way. Might work for you. Went to a Mallory dist later. Now use plug wires.

[Bill G]

How about using the kind of flexible "thingie" that would be found on the throttle control of any backyard lawn mower. You'd have to rig some kind of attachment to each end and something in the middle to keep it away from the spark plug. I can't seem to pull the name of it out of my brain. I was wondering about that rod when I watched your video on the NuRex dizzy.

[alexiskai]

Here’s what worked: heat shrink tubing underneath two Dorman 7/32” vacuum caps, back to back, with holes cut in each end. Basically rests right on the plug terminal, but no grounding.

[Bob from Northport]

Go to Speedway Motors web site. They have various types of linkage and adjustable rods to use. My shop adapted several rods to a Webber carb on a Model A truck.