The Ford Barn

mick1 · 05-03-2021, 09:49 PM

Hello all, I am new to the flathead engines.
I have a 41 ford with the stock helmet distributor, I had the points set by a guy that has the fixture, and installed new plug wires and repro inner caps.
my question is, what is the cap to rotor gap, I've seen everything from .010 to .025 so not sure, also can this be done on the engine or on the bench, im looking down through the coil hole, not sure how to gap the bottom contacts
any advise recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Guys!

deuce_roadster · 05-03-2021, 11:34 PM

Just about anything to be done on a helmet distributor should be done on the bench then
final adjustments on a machine like a Sun or Allen. Seeing the rotor gaps on the lower contacts would be a real challenge on the car, if possible at all. Best done with the opposite inner cap off.

FlatheadTed · 05-04-2021, 12:20 AM

If you have good strong spark its not so critical 1 32/ to 1/16 ,we have turned the cap of in the past to go deeper .

Terry,OH · 05-04-2021, 05:59 AM

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You can not adjust the gap between the rotor and the inner cap. The rotor and the caps have to be changed to new parts. The wear occurs on the brass terminals of the two pieces and they can not be moved. Ford Spec. for the 68 style distributor used in 41 is .0065 to .0125" Best to just use your eyes to judge the gap. Do not install a gasket between the inner cap and the distributor housing. The gasket goes between the inner and outer caps.

05-03-2021, 09:49 PM	#1
mick1 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 1	41 helmet clearances Hello all, I am new to the flathead engines. I have a 41 ford with the stock helmet distributor, I had the points set by a guy that has the fixture, and installed new plug wires and repro inner caps. my question is, what is the cap to rotor gap, I've seen everything from .010 to .025 so not sure, also can this be done on the engine or on the bench, im looking down through the coil hole, not sure how to gap the bottom contacts any advise recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Guys! Last edited by mick1; 05-04-2021 at 03:10 PM.

05-03-2021, 11:34 PM	#2
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: 41 helmet clearances Just about anything to be done on a helmet distributor should be done on the bench then final adjustments on a machine like a Sun or Allen. Seeing the rotor gaps on the lower contacts would be a real challenge on the car, if possible at all. Best done with the opposite inner cap off.

05-04-2021, 12:20 AM	#3
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: 41 helmet clearances If you have good strong spark its not so critical 1 32/ to 1/16 ,we have turned the cap of in the past to go deeper . __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

05-04-2021, 05:59 AM	#4
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,750	Re: 41 helmet clearances Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You can not adjust the gap between the rotor and the inner cap. The rotor and the caps have to be changed to new parts. The wear occurs on the brass terminals of the two pieces and they can not be moved. Ford Spec. for the 68 style distributor used in 41 is .0065 to .0125" Best to just use your eyes to judge the gap. Do not install a gasket between the inner cap and the distributor housing. The gasket goes between the inner and outer caps.