Help identifying points

[Chester Leighton]

I'm new to flat heads as stated in an earlier thread. I believe this is an 8BA engine in my 37 pickup. The points got overheated by the shipper when he left the ignition on and ran the battery down. I'm going to replace the coil and condenser as well. The electrical is 12 volt. I don't know if the distributor is stock or not. Can you tell from the pictures what I've got and what I need to get? Also, where do I get the points, condenser coil from?

[Chester Leighton]

Also, what's the recommended gap and timing for this engine?

[51 MERC-CT]

Looks like stock '49-'53 Ford distributor with points and condenser available at NAPA as well as other vendors.
Only question is the coil.
It may have numbers to identify it.

[tubman]

I agree it's a stock 8BA type distributor. As such, the point gap should be .014-.016" and the timing should be set so the pointer on the front cover is pointing at the dot on the crank pulley at idle speed with the vacuum advance disconnected and plugged.

If you have an advance timing light, you may want to get fancy and set the timing at 22 degrees advanced at 2400 RPM with the vacuum advance connected and see where the idle timing falls. Efficient engine operation is more important at cruise than at idle. You might even want to try 20 or 24 degrees to see what works best.

[Bob C]

Not sure but it looks like the rotor clip may be missing. If the rotor is sloppy
you need to get one.

[JSeery]

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If there are no identifying marks on the coil I would trace the wiring back and see if there is a ballast resistor in the circuit. With a ballast resistor you need around a 1.5 ohm coil (often referred to as a 6v coil). If there is not a ballast resistor then you need around a 3.0 ohm coil.