The Ford Barn

Bob NH · 07-08-2018, 05:18 PM

Are there any differences in crab distributors when using single or two piece caps ? 46-48

Ken/Alabama · 07-08-2018, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob NH

Are there any differences in crab distributors when using single or two piece caps ? 46-48

Distributor is the same. They do use different rotors depending on which cap you use and the clips that hold the cap on is different between the two.

GB SISSON · 07-08-2018, 11:23 PM

And the '46-'47 caps are a lot harder to install new wires on, but they are more water resistant (or so they say).

Bob NH · 07-09-2018, 11:18 AM

I would agree that those two cap jobs must be a Bear. Just took my off last week and noticed a couple wires had pulled loose from the cap and not much room to play with to get them back where they belong . Do ya'll think it would be better to change to a single cap and save frustration and easier to work on down the road ?

38bill · 07-09-2018, 02:09 PM

I'm running a 59ab in my '38 so I changed mine to a crab. It's easier to work on and I like the looks.

Bob NH · 07-09-2018, 02:23 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Crab yes, but cap was my question. Seems like single would be much easier ?

rotorwrench · 07-09-2018, 02:51 PM

The shape of the cap is what earned it the crab nickname. The distributors are basically the same. The pancake V cap was a war time necessity to keep the water & other crud out. It stayed in production after the war. The bale can easily be removed and spring clips installed.

The crab cap utilizes a gasket to help keep the moisture at bay.

flatjack9 · 07-09-2018, 07:45 PM

In 20 plus years of driving, my crab distributor has never been a problem in the rain. And I have been in some VERY heavy rainfalls.

Bob NH · 07-10-2018, 05:43 AM

I guess after reading folks comments, I will change over to a simpler cap. It's not like I'm headed to Louisiana to drive across Lake Pontratrain in a rainstorm ! Thanks guys for the input.

34pickup · 07-10-2018, 07:47 AM

So, to convert a conventional 1948 dist to a crab, all you need to do is purchase a crab cap and rotor and the spring clips? Nothing else?

Bob NH · 07-10-2018, 08:25 AM

Sounds good, I'm ordering from Joe's Antique parts at the moment.

Seth Swoboda · 07-10-2018, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 34pickup

So, to convert a conventional 1948 dist to a crab, all you need to do is purchase a crab cap and rotor and the spring clips? Nothing else?

This is correct.

koates · 07-10-2018, 09:28 AM

You will also need nine rubber boots for the high tension leads where they fit onto the crab cap and the cap gasket to seal out water between the cap and distributer housing. Regards, Kevin.

rotorwrench · 07-10-2018, 10:53 AM

The spring clips require what are refered to as split rivets to hold them on so those would also be needed.

Mart · 07-10-2018, 11:05 AM

The spring clips and split rivets are available as a kit. I got some from Macs, I would imagine other suppliers have them too.

Mart.

34pickup · 07-10-2018, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mart

The spring clips and split rivets are available as a kit. I got some from Macs, I would imagine other suppliers have them too.

Mart.

I suppose Macs charged about 15 bucks to ship those parts...ha ha....just kidding...

Step-down · 07-10-2018, 03:57 PM

Gasket for cap .....

tubman · 07-10-2018, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 34pickup

I suppose Macs charged about 15 bucks to ship those parts...ha ha....just kidding...

As I used to hear on the radio back then : "Tain't funny, MacGee!".

Ritzy1 · 07-10-2018, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Step-down

Gasket for cap .....

I've gotten a complete engine gasket set (Felpro) and a distributor gasket set (Mac's, I think) and neither had a gasket that will fit between my crab cap and the distributor. I'm thinking I need to find one to keep it dry.

GB SISSON · 07-10-2018, 06:47 PM

I too have never seen a gasket for a crab cap. Would like one though. But.... Snapping the clips is hard enough already. What to do?

07-08-2018, 05:18 PM	#1
Bob NH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Meredith, N.H. Posts: 766	Crab Distributors Are there any differences in crab distributors when using single or two piece caps ? 46-48

07-08-2018, 11:23 PM	#3
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,928	Re: Crab Distributors And the '46-'47 caps are a lot harder to install new wires on, but they are more water resistant (or so they say). __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

07-09-2018, 11:18 AM	#4
Bob NH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Meredith, N.H. Posts: 766	Re: Crab Distributors I would agree that those two cap jobs must be a Bear. Just took my off last week and noticed a couple wires had pulled loose from the cap and not much room to play with to get them back where they belong . Do ya'll think it would be better to change to a single cap and save frustration and easier to work on down the road ?

07-09-2018, 02:09 PM	#5
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,166	Re: Crab Distributors I'm running a 59ab in my '38 so I changed mine to a crab. It's easier to work on and I like the looks.

07-09-2018, 02:23 PM	#6
Bob NH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Meredith, N.H. Posts: 766	Re: Crab Distributors Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Crab yes, but cap was my question. Seems like single would be much easier ?

07-09-2018, 02:51 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Crab Distributors The shape of the cap is what earned it the crab nickname. The distributors are basically the same. The pancake V cap was a war time necessity to keep the water & other crud out. It stayed in production after the war. The bale can easily be removed and spring clips installed. The crab cap utilizes a gasket to help keep the moisture at bay.

07-09-2018, 07:45 PM	#8
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: Crab Distributors In 20 plus years of driving, my crab distributor has never been a problem in the rain. And I have been in some VERY heavy rainfalls.

07-10-2018, 05:43 AM	#9
Bob NH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Meredith, N.H. Posts: 766	Re: Crab Distributors I guess after reading folks comments, I will change over to a simpler cap. It's not like I'm headed to Louisiana to drive across Lake Pontratrain in a rainstorm ! Thanks guys for the input.

07-10-2018, 07:47 AM	#10
34pickup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntsville Al Posts: 1,526	Re: Crab Distributors So, to convert a conventional 1948 dist to a crab, all you need to do is purchase a crab cap and rotor and the spring clips? Nothing else? __________________ Matt 24:36-41

07-10-2018, 08:25 AM	#11
Bob NH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Meredith, N.H. Posts: 766	Re: Crab Distributors Sounds good, I'm ordering from Joe's Antique parts at the moment.

07-10-2018, 09:28 AM	#13
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,079	Re: Crab Distributors You will also need nine rubber boots for the high tension leads where they fit onto the crab cap and the cap gasket to seal out water between the cap and distributer housing. Regards, Kevin.

07-10-2018, 10:53 AM	#14
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Crab Distributors The spring clips require what are refered to as split rivets to hold them on so those would also be needed. Last edited by rotorwrench; 07-10-2018 at 05:43 PM.

07-10-2018, 11:05 AM	#15
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,749	Re: Crab Distributors The spring clips and split rivets are available as a kit. I got some from Macs, I would imagine other suppliers have them too. Mart.

07-10-2018, 03:57 PM	#17
Step-down Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Hat City (Danbury CT) Posts: 647	Re: Crab Distributors Gasket for cap ..... __________________ "I can't cry as long as I know the Lord has risen "

07-10-2018, 06:47 PM	#20
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,928	Re: Crab Distributors I too have never seen a gasket for a crab cap. Would like one though. But.... Snapping the clips is hard enough already. What to do? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)