The Ford Barn

fredeuce · 06-27-2021, 07:20 AM

I am attempting to remove the breaker plate on an 8BA distributor.

The diagram shows a circlip however what I have found doesn't quite match the diagram.

Any tips here for the removal of the breaker plate?

19Fordy · 06-27-2021, 10:17 AM

What year and make is that distributor? Is it a stock Ford or a Mallory?

Will this help? Be sure to take photos as you go.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...r_1949to53.jpg

51 MERC-CT · 06-27-2021, 11:10 AM

(fredeuce)

Don't see the .025-.035 wire circlip in your picture so if it is not there the plate should just lift/pry off.
(you should be able to see the ends of the clip just under the top surface)

fredeuce · 06-27-2021, 05:56 PM

19Fordy, the distributor is a 1953 Ford Canada unit. All Australian Ford flatheads were sourced from Canada.

The link to the diagram shows the diagram that I mentioned in my original post. What I have doesn't appear to match the diagram.

On closer examination I have now found a very small round section wire circlip (0.030)" rather than the flat style circlip as in the Vanpelt diagram. I have been able to remove that and the breaker plate is now free to come off. Thanks to those who responded. Fred

BUBBAS IGNITION · 06-28-2021, 02:48 PM

i CAN SEE THE SMALL WIRE CLIP IN YOU PICTURE , I USE A PIC TO REMOVE . INSPECT ALL WIRING AND CARDBOARD INSULATION UNDER THE PLATE . INSTALL A NEW VAC UNIT FROM THIRD GEN FORD PARTS AS WELL.....WIRING INSULATION IS USUALLY DEFECTIVE ....................THE HEARD PART IS DONE ( REMOVING THE DRIVE GEAR )

BUBBAS IGNITION · 06-28-2021, 02:50 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

more info at

http://www.bubbasignition.com/49-53.html

Desoto291Hemi · 06-28-2021, 03:30 PM

Yep,,,,the clip is in there .
The leading edge is over about 2:00 o’clock,,,,,.

Tommy

fredeuce · 06-29-2021, 05:45 PM

Bubba,
You mentioned that the hard part is removing the drive gear. You are right about that and also the collar at the base of the distributor housing . Both of those pins were a major pain to remove.

I am thinking about replacing them with a 1/8"roll-pin instead .

Any views about the merits of doing that?

19Fordy · 07-01-2021, 11:17 AM

My 8BA Mallory distributer gear has been held in place with a roll pin for the past 30 years. No problems. A search shows that roll pins are commonly used to make installation easier and not damage your distributer shaft.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 07-01-2021, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredeuce

Bubba,
You mentioned that the hard part is removing the drive gear. You are right about that and also the collar at the base of the distributor housing . Both of those pins were a major pain to remove.

I am thinking about replacing them with a 1/8"roll-pin instead .

Any views about the merits of doing that?

Yes i use a roll pin to replace the pins not a problem

06-27-2021, 07:20 AM	#1
fredeuce Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Australia Posts: 50	8BA Distributor Disassembly I am attempting to remove the breaker plate on an 8BA distributor. The diagram shows a circlip however what I have found doesn't quite match the diagram. Any tips here for the removal of the breaker plate?

06-27-2021, 10:17 AM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: 8BA Distributor Disassembly What year and make is that distributor? Is it a stock Ford or a Mallory? Will this help? Be sure to take photos as you go. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...r_1949to53.jpg Last edited by 19Fordy; 06-27-2021 at 10:35 AM.

06-27-2021, 11:10 AM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: 8BA Distributor Disassembly (fredeuce) Don't see the .025-.035 wire circlip in your picture so if it is not there the plate should just lift/pry off. (you should be able to see the ends of the clip just under the top surface) __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES Last edited by 51 MERC-CT; 06-27-2021 at 11:16 AM.

06-27-2021, 05:56 PM	#4
fredeuce Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Australia Posts: 50	Re: 8BA Distributor Disassembly 19Fordy, the distributor is a 1953 Ford Canada unit. All Australian Ford flatheads were sourced from Canada. The link to the diagram shows the diagram that I mentioned in my original post. What I have doesn't appear to match the diagram. On closer examination I have now found a very small round section wire circlip (0.030)" rather than the flat style circlip as in the Vanpelt diagram. I have been able to remove that and the breaker plate is now free to come off. Thanks to those who responded. Fred

06-28-2021, 02:48 PM	#5
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: 8BA Distributor Disassembly i CAN SEE THE SMALL WIRE CLIP IN YOU PICTURE , I USE A PIC TO REMOVE . INSPECT ALL WIRING AND CARDBOARD INSULATION UNDER THE PLATE . INSTALL A NEW VAC UNIT FROM THIRD GEN FORD PARTS AS WELL.....WIRING INSULATION IS USUALLY DEFECTIVE ....................THE HEARD PART IS DONE ( REMOVING THE DRIVE GEAR ) __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

06-28-2021, 02:50 PM	#6
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: 8BA Distributor Disassembly Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) more info at http://www.bubbasignition.com/49-53.html __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

06-28-2021, 03:30 PM	#7
Desoto291Hemi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Carthage , Tennessee Posts: 199	Re: 8BA Distributor Disassembly Yep,,,,the clip is in there . The leading edge is over about 2:00 o’clock,,,,,. Tommy

06-29-2021, 05:45 PM	#8
fredeuce Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Australia Posts: 50	Re: 8BA Distributor Disassembly Bubba, You mentioned that the hard part is removing the drive gear. You are right about that and also the collar at the base of the distributor housing . Both of those pins were a major pain to remove. I am thinking about replacing them with a 1/8"roll-pin instead . Any views about the merits of doing that?

07-01-2021, 11:17 AM	#9
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: 8BA Distributor Disassembly My 8BA Mallory distributer gear has been held in place with a roll pin for the past 30 years. No problems. A search shows that roll pins are commonly used to make installation easier and not damage your distributer shaft.