The Ford Barn

Tom Endy · 02-05-2018, 11:53 PM

At the recent Turlock swap meet a unique distributor casting was obtained. It appears to be a 1931 version with the bridged strap grabbers. However, one of the bridges is not formed straight across like the others. In the series of photos you can see that one side is cast if a fork shape. Close inspection show that is was cast this way and not later modified. The last photo shows a 1931 casting that has both bridges formed the same, straight across.

The question is: Is this an accidental casting, or were there some casting purposely formed in this manner?

Tom Endy

Will Ziegler in LI NY · 02-06-2018, 06:42 AM

i think it is a poor casting.

Fullraceflathead · 02-06-2018, 04:38 PM

It looks like a cold flow of the iron but somehow was missing by the QC Dept.
It looks usable but imperfect.

Dale G. · 02-06-2018, 06:06 PM

I have a friend of mine that has a casting with early ears on one side and the other side is bridged. What is that all about???

160B · 02-06-2018, 09:02 PM

FWIW, and IMHO

I took a foundry class during college in the late 60's at the University of Washington, we used existing patterns and did actual pours in cast iron. IMHO in looking at the photo of the distributor body it looks too symmetrical to be a poor casting.

Also the surface of the entire casting is consistent of what you typically get in a sand casting.

If it was a short pour, not enough material, or a cold pour, material not a the correct temperature to obtain a full pour then the surface of the final casting would not have the granular surface you get from a sand casting.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-07-2018, 04:09 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Looks like a rare $900 ebay item to me.

It is a mystery.

Bill Pursel · 02-07-2018, 04:42 PM

The one without the bridge is not squared off like the unbridged either.

02-06-2018, 06:42 AM	#2
Will Ziegler in LI NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Northport, NY Posts: 178	Re: Distributor casting i think it is a poor casting.

02-06-2018, 04:38 PM	#3
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,176	Re: Distributor casting It looks like a cold flow of the iron but somehow was missing by the QC Dept. It looks usable but imperfect. __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

02-06-2018, 06:06 PM	#4
Dale G. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 292	Re: Distributor casting I have a friend of mine that has a casting with early ears on one side and the other side is bridged. What is that all about???

02-06-2018, 09:02 PM	#5
160B Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 1,498	Re: Distributor casting FWIW, and IMHO I took a foundry class during college in the late 60's at the University of Washington, we used existing patterns and did actual pours in cast iron. IMHO in looking at the photo of the distributor body it looks too symmetrical to be a poor casting. Also the surface of the entire casting is consistent of what you typically get in a sand casting. If it was a short pour, not enough material, or a cold pour, material not a the correct temperature to obtain a full pour then the surface of the final casting would not have the granular surface you get from a sand casting. __________________ 1931 160B & 1931 68B If you don't have time to do it right the 1st time, how do you have time to do it the 2nd time? Last edited by 160B; 02-06-2018 at 09:28 PM. Reason: added more information on surface condition

02-07-2018, 04:09 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Distributor casting Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Looks like a rare $900 ebay item to me. It is a mystery.

02-07-2018, 04:42 PM	#7
Bill Pursel Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Terre Haute, Indiana Posts: 90	Re: Distributor casting The one without the bridge is not squared off like the unbridged either.