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Old 05-23-2020, 07:30 AM   #1
Dean Lemoine
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Default Modern distributor cap

Is there a difference in performance of the modern style distributor cap and wires versus the original cap and bronze spark plug connectors?
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Old 05-23-2020, 07:41 AM   #2
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

Quite a bit of difference. With the modern cap the engine won't misfire when it gets wet, modern wires won't emit huge amounts of RFI when the car is running.



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Old 05-23-2020, 09:27 AM   #3
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

But the modern caps just dont look right to me.
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Old 05-23-2020, 09:42 AM   #4
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

I prefer the original distributor cap , first for the original look . The gaps can be measured between the rotor tip and the 4 contacts in the distributor cap . The 4 contacts can be filed for equal gaps at all four contacts in the original cap . I consider equal gaps as part of a tune up . I prefer a gap of .035 between the rotor tip and the contacts in the cap for equal and hotter spark at all cylinders . Measuring gaps at the rotor tip isn't possible with the modern style distributor cap .

Last edited by Purdy Swoft; 05-24-2020 at 05:41 PM.
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Old 05-23-2020, 11:19 AM   #5
Dean Lemoine
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

Thanks guys. I agree with the original look and honestly I hadn’t thought about the ability to check and adjust the gaps. If there is/was a significant performance increase, I was thinking about going with the modern cap and wires. Stay safe.
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Old 05-23-2020, 12:06 PM   #6
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Maybe the worry about setting air gaps is not as important with modern caps? How often to you see info about people setting air gaps on later V8 or any car up to electronic ignition?
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Old 05-23-2020, 12:12 PM   #7
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

Just thinking,,, if electricity travels at roughly 11, 628 inches per second how long does it take for the spark to jump .025 or .035?
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Old 05-23-2020, 01:38 PM   #8
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

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Originally Posted by redmodelt View Post
Maybe the worry about setting air gaps is not as important with modern caps? How often to you see info about people setting air gaps on later V8 or any car up to electronic ignition?

While it is possible to measure and adjust air gaps with the original model A or B distributor caps, I don't see how measuring air gaps would be possible with a modern style distributor cap .

Air gap distance won't make a day and night difference in performance but there does need to be air gaps for the spark to jump . Ford recommended gaps of twenty five thousands at the rotor tip . More gap to a certain point will increase spark intensity . I set mine at thirty five thousands . I believe that equal size air gaps at the rotor tip will send equal spark to each cylinder for better performance .
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Old 05-23-2020, 02:09 PM   #9
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

I like putting a clear distributor cap on the distributor body. At night the little ones like to see the "sparklers". You can't do that with a modern distributor cap.
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Old 05-23-2020, 04:58 PM   #10
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

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I like putting a clear distributor cap on the distributor body. At night the little ones like to see the "sparklers". You can't do that with a modern distributor cap.
Someone made up a Model A distributor body (the bakelite part) entire. A one-off I think. I'd like one of those.

Sort of like painting the engine red - proven to make the car go faster.

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Old 05-23-2020, 05:00 PM   #11
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

Who sells the modern style distributor cap and wires ?? Thank you !
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Old 05-23-2020, 06:23 PM   #12
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

Snyder's has them. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...-a/distributor
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Old 05-24-2020, 09:50 AM   #13
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

If the original style distributor cap body and cap was made as one part , you would lose the ability to measure and adjust the air gaps . I've used and found NO advantage to a modern style distributor cap when used with the original model A distributor .
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Old 05-24-2020, 10:14 AM   #14
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean Lemoine View Post
Is there a difference in performance of the modern style distributor cap and wires versus the original cap and bronze spark plug connectors?
No difference in performance.
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Old 05-24-2020, 10:37 AM   #15
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

Maybe no better but to use some heads like my Lion Speed, you have to go with the modern style cap and wires
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Old 05-24-2020, 02:45 PM   #16
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

Mikes was selling the “A” style cap that could be used with modern cables.
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Old 05-24-2020, 04:34 PM   #17
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

I have an original style cap and have driven long miles in the rain and never had an engine miss from the bronze spark plug connectors.

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Old 05-24-2020, 08:36 PM   #18
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

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Originally Posted by divcoone View Post
Mikes was selling the “A” style cap that could be used with modern cables.
I have one of those on my engine. They are made by Renner’s Corner which is where I bought mine. Works / looks great. Best of both worlds??
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Old 05-24-2020, 09:09 PM   #19
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

Back in the '60's I had a clear modern cap. You could watch the rotor spin and points break.
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Old 05-25-2020, 02:31 AM   #20
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Default Re: Modern distributor cap

They just don't look the same.....
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Originally Posted by MAG View Post
Just thinking,,, if electricity travels at roughly 11, 628 inches per second how long does it take for the spark to jump .025 or .035?
That's the thing, The time for the coil to build up enough juice to jump the gap is measurable. I've never measured it myself, but when i was making electronic ignition, if the gap was too wide i needed 12ms of coil activation time versus 2ms for normal plugs.

And all the clear cap comments make me wonder how hard it'd be to make a mould and cast one in resin.
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