The Ford Barn

Jim Parker Toronto · 01-27-2011, 04:11 PM

Got my pan gasket on today and went to start work on a distributor for Big Blue, and thought I would read what Les Andrews has to say while I was taking a break. On page 1-104, Paragragh 6, of his Model A Mechanics handbook, for Service and Maintainance, (the red one) he says that there is two different thicknesses for the top plate. Surprised me! Then he states that there is a Teflon Washer you can get to take up the slack if you are using a thin top plate, in the thicker slot in the distributor body. News to me! So I went looking in Snyders and Mac's books, the only two that I have, and could not find anything like this at all. Has anyone ever heard or seen such a part. I know that the spring will hold the top plate in the groove fairly snug, so am I concerned about nothing, or should I seek better parts?

J Franklin · 01-27-2011, 06:20 PM

My book does not have that reference. You should only have concern if the top plate has side to side slop as it would effect the point gap.

Jim Parker Toronto · 01-27-2011, 09:16 PM

Well, my book has it. I guess this part does not exist, or does it?

Tom Wesenberg · 01-27-2011, 09:45 PM

I've never heard of any such washer. Is this something to use with the modern upper plate?

I only use the original points and plate.

Jim Parker Toronto · 01-27-2011, 10:01 PM

Tom, I want to use original parts as well, but I have never heard of this part before, and I guess Les Andrews took it out of his book because it is not available....

PC/SR · 01-27-2011, 10:01 PM

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My Andrews book does not have it, it is the 2002 revision. I dont see where thickness would be an issue so long as the spring holds the plate firmly. I agree with J Franklin, side to side movement is more critical. I use the "modern" plate, but just thinking about it now, maybe those who like the original but are worried about their condenser could drill a couple of holes in the plate for heat escape. FWIW

Jim Parker Toronto · 01-28-2011, 09:17 PM

I checked my book. It was printed in 1997. One of the first editions I guess. There has probably been a lot added and taken out since then. Too bad you can't get or buy the revisions, wait, does that sound familiar?

01-27-2011, 04:11 PM	#1
Jim Parker Toronto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,289	Distributor Plate Washer Got my pan gasket on today and went to start work on a distributor for Big Blue, and thought I would read what Les Andrews has to say while I was taking a break. On page 1-104, Paragragh 6, of his Model A Mechanics handbook, for Service and Maintainance, (the red one) he says that there is two different thicknesses for the top plate. Surprised me! Then he states that there is a Teflon Washer you can get to take up the slack if you are using a thin top plate, in the thicker slot in the distributor body. News to me! So I went looking in Snyders and Mac's books, the only two that I have, and could not find anything like this at all. Has anyone ever heard or seen such a part. I know that the spring will hold the top plate in the groove fairly snug, so am I concerned about nothing, or should I seek better parts?

01-27-2011, 06:20 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Distributor Plate Washer My book does not have that reference. You should only have concern if the top plate has side to side slop as it would effect the point gap.

01-27-2011, 09:45 PM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Distributor Plate Washer I've never heard of any such washer. Is this something to use with the modern upper plate? I only use the original points and plate.

01-27-2011, 10:01 PM	#5
Jim Parker Toronto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,289	Re: Distributor Plate Washer Tom, I want to use original parts as well, but I have never heard of this part before, and I guess Les Andrews took it out of his book because it is not available....

01-27-2011, 10:01 PM	#6
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,278	Re: Distributor Plate Washer Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My Andrews book does not have it, it is the 2002 revision. I dont see where thickness would be an issue so long as the spring holds the plate firmly. I agree with J Franklin, side to side movement is more critical. I use the "modern" plate, but just thinking about it now, maybe those who like the original but are worried about their condenser could drill a couple of holes in the plate for heat escape. FWIW

01-28-2011, 09:17 PM	#7
Jim Parker Toronto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,289	Re: Distributor Plate Washer I checked my book. It was printed in 1997. One of the first editions I guess. There has probably been a lot added and taken out since then. Too bad you can't get or buy the revisions, wait, does that sound familiar?