How to remove distributor caps 1936

[Blastfromthepast]

I have tried to remove the spark plug wire caps on both sides of the distributor.
Is there a special way to remove them. I have it loose but the won’t come out.
Is it two pieces? I can’t remove it from the distributor. Need help. Thanks.

[Blastfromthepast]

I now see that they are two pieces the cover and inner. How do you remove both of them.

[alanwoodieman]

the caps are made of a soy bean derived plastic and tend to "grow" and get larger on the circumference and can be hard to remove, they were intended to be held on with bail clamp which is just swung to the side and then the fun begins, remove both caps inner/outer together there is a tab or a key on these caps so twisting them will just breaks them. sometimes just putting a dowell into the hole where the wires are and pulling on it will free them up

[Blastfromthepast]

Thanks for your reply. How do I separate the outer cap from the inner cap. I want to change the rubber boot above the outer cap. I think I have to remove the wires from the cap to do this.

[Blastfromthepast]

Years ago what did the mechanic have to do to change the rotor, cap, wires and points?
Did they remove the front nose off the car? There no room, fan, belt and radiator. Is there an easy way? I can’t believe it’s that complicated.

[cajunfirehawk]

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Originally Posted by Blastfromthepast

Years ago what did the mechanic have to do to change the rotor, cap, wires and points?
Did they remove the front nose off the car? There no room, fan, belt and radiator. Is there an easy way? I can’t believe it’s that complicated.

Funny y'all mention this, to me the easiest way is when the radiator is out of the car OR by jacking up the car and working it from the bottom, I just r&r'ed my helmet dizzy so I have 1st hand knowledge.

[4dFord/SC]

Another option is to remove the looms and wires so you work on a bench.

[nelsb01]

The outer cover cap is held onto the inner piece by a rubber o ring. If you separate the outer cap from the inner, you wll need to still remove the inner to replace the rubber o ring the fits over the center post of the outer cap.
I have used a very fine slot screw driver to fit between the distributor and cap -- but like said above, this could crack the cap. Removal of the whole assembly is a good way to go if the cap doesnt want to release from the distributor body.

[transbytip]

I have found that taking the coil out with a long screw driver go thru coil hole&gently tap the innercaps out works for me Cliff.

[deuce_roadster]

What transbytip said. I was going to write the same thing. I use a piece of wood dowel to tap one side out from the coil opening then go in from the removed side straight across and tap the other out. I have NOS inner caps I replace the used ones with and because of the "growth" almost always need to sand the new ones a little to get them to go back in the distributor easily.

[Blastfromthepast]

Thanks fellas, I’m new at these flatheads. I’m glad there are guys like you who can help.
Thanks again to all of you, Tony.

[Mart]

If you haven't taken the distributor off the vehicle do yourself a big favour and take it off. Ford never intended these to be serviced in vehicle.

Mart.