The Ford Barn

marty in Ohio · 10-02-2022, 06:54 AM

I know that the clearance between the upper distributor body and the rotor should be .025 inches. How critical is this measurement? Two of the points are right on but the other two are maybe twice as big. The upper body is brand new. How will this affect how the car will run?
Thanks for any help.
Marty

Conaway2 · 10-02-2022, 07:51 AM

If the ignition system is producing a strong spark, it probably won’t make a difference. But it could….

Check the play in the distributor shaft in the body of the distributor. It may be time to replace bushings and distributor shaft.

You might also try replacing the upper body with another one - some suppliers like Brattons or Snyders will post information about the parts they sell that may be helpful.

The body sold by Snyders looks pretty interesting.

Good luck - Jim

bobv · 10-02-2022, 08:13 AM

Bend the rotor to get the correct gap at the terminal that has the widest gap then file the other three down to get the correct gap.
I don't think I have ever seen one where they were all the same before adjusting.

katy · 10-02-2022, 10:39 AM

How does one bend the metal part of the rotor w/out breaking the bakelite (plastic?) part?
That's a skill I haven't mastered yet.

Bob Bidonde · 10-02-2022, 10:53 AM

This should help:

rich40701 · 10-02-2022, 11:24 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I recently purchased a distributor body with steel inserts, rotor and cap from Snyder's. The distributor body was a very loose fit on the distributor and after installing the rotor the cap would not fit because the rotor was too high. I compared the old and new and the new distributor body was around 1/8 inch thinner/shorter. I sent it back and now using the old one, looking for a distributor body made in USA that one was made in China.

marty in Ohio · 10-02-2022, 09:43 PM

Interesting! The distributor body came new from Snyders and a new rotor, again from Snyders, will be here tomorrow. I'll keep y'all posted.
Marty

Bob Bidonde · 10-04-2022, 07:31 AM

I keep original and 1930s replacement distributor bodies because they are much more rugged than the reproductions. Also, I believe that the Bakelite of the old ones is dimensionably more stable a material. Most of the old ones cleanup with Acetone / lacquer thinner and a coat of wax.

old31 · 10-04-2022, 08:32 AM

With an electronic ignition would you still keep the contacts between.010 and .015?

Kurt in NJ · 10-04-2022, 09:03 AM

Where is the specification of .025 from?
The only specifications i have found in era books is .005 in a 1931 radio installation book

10-02-2022, 06:54 AM	#1
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 755	distributor to rotor clearance I know that the clearance between the upper distributor body and the rotor should be .025 inches. How critical is this measurement? Two of the points are right on but the other two are maybe twice as big. The upper body is brand new. How will this affect how the car will run? Thanks for any help. Marty

10-02-2022, 07:51 AM	#2
Conaway2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC Posts: 601	Re: distributor to rotor clearance If the ignition system is producing a strong spark, it probably won’t make a difference. But it could…. Check the play in the distributor shaft in the body of the distributor. It may be time to replace bushings and distributor shaft. You might also try replacing the upper body with another one - some suppliers like Brattons or Snyders will post information about the parts they sell that may be helpful. The body sold by Snyders looks pretty interesting. Good luck - Jim

10-02-2022, 08:13 AM	#3
bobv Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Baxter, MN. Posts: 120	Re: distributor to rotor clearance Bend the rotor to get the correct gap at the terminal that has the widest gap then file the other three down to get the correct gap. I don't think I have ever seen one where they were all the same before adjusting.

10-02-2022, 10:39 AM	#4
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,042	Re: distributor to rotor clearance How does one bend the metal part of the rotor w/out breaking the bakelite (plastic?) part? That's a skill I haven't mastered yet. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn! Last edited by katy; 10-02-2022 at 10:40 AM. Reason: Addition

10-02-2022, 11:24 AM	#6
rich40701 Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Corbin, KY Posts: 78	Re: distributor to rotor clearance Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I recently purchased a distributor body with steel inserts, rotor and cap from Snyder's. The distributor body was a very loose fit on the distributor and after installing the rotor the cap would not fit because the rotor was too high. I compared the old and new and the new distributor body was around 1/8 inch thinner/shorter. I sent it back and now using the old one, looking for a distributor body made in USA that one was made in China.

10-02-2022, 09:43 PM	#7
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 755	Re: distributor to rotor clearance Interesting! The distributor body came new from Snyders and a new rotor, again from Snyders, will be here tomorrow. I'll keep y'all posted. Marty

10-04-2022, 07:31 AM	#8
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Re: distributor to rotor clearance I keep original and 1930s replacement distributor bodies because they are much more rugged than the reproductions. Also, I believe that the Bakelite of the old ones is dimensionably more stable a material. Most of the old ones cleanup with Acetone / lacquer thinner and a coat of wax. __________________ Bob Bidonde

10-04-2022, 08:32 AM	#9
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,093	Re: distributor to rotor clearance With an electronic ignition would you still keep the contacts between.010 and .015?

10-04-2022, 09:03 AM	#10
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,156	Re: distributor to rotor clearance Where is the specification of .025 from? The only specifications i have found in era books is .005 in a 1931 radio installation book