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Old 11-16-2019, 06:41 AM   #1
barrelnose
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Default B model distributor question

Does the B model distributor/head use the same bolt on the side of the head to keep it held down?
I am trying to remove the distributor but there is no bolt in the side hole and it appears to be a blind hole. The Distributor is rusted badly and that may make it hard to remove,but this either has a broken bolt in the hole(it’s about a 1/4” deep) or it is a blind hole. I touched the bottom of the hole with a 5/16” drill and a appears to be soft like cast iron,not a broken bolt.
Any clues please.
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Old 11-16-2019, 08:26 AM   #2
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: B model distributor question

The distributor lock bolt is the same 1928 - 1934.
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File Type: jpg Ford_Model_B-2_(1349799633).jpg (105.6 KB, 67 views)
File Type: jpg Distributor Lock Screw 11kb.jpg (10.6 KB, 21 views)
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Old 11-16-2019, 09:10 AM   #3
Joe K
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Default Re: B model distributor question

PB Blaster is your friend. So is vibration - tap gently and repeatedly.

I'm trying to buy a Model B distributor right now on ebay and the relative scarcity compared to Model A units is telling - but not insurmountable.

But more importantly one has to pursue this "gently" lest one break off the distributor at its base leaving the mount still in the head.

You might try removing the entire head. Another avenue would be to remove the drive gear from the valve chamber, invert the engine, and put PB Blaster in there and let gravity do its thing. Did I mention vibration?

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Old 11-16-2019, 07:50 PM   #4
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Default Re: B model distributor question

Thanks for the replies, I got the distributor out last night and it isn’t the same as the A.
It wasn’t a blind hole,but the distributor doesn’t have the groove machined in it for the lock bolt either. It has a clamp arrangement with a pinch bolt at the base of the distributor housing which must be used for locking it in position.
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Old 11-16-2019, 08:42 PM   #5
J Franklin
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Default Re: B model distributor question

Let us see what the thing looks like.
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Old 11-16-2019, 08:57 PM   #6
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Default Re: B model distributor question

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Quote:
Originally Posted by barrelnose View Post
Thanks for the replies, I got the distributor out last night and it isn’t the same as the A.
It wasn’t a blind hole,but the distributor doesn’t have the groove machined in it for the lock bolt either. It has a clamp arrangement with a pinch bolt at the base of the distributor housing which must be used for locking it in position.
Sounds funny, post a picture.

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Old 11-16-2019, 09:42 PM   #7
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Default Re: B model distributor question

This is a B distributor.
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Old 11-16-2019, 10:59 PM   #8
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Default Re: B model distributor question

931C7820-93E1-46A3-8510-0424F01956F5.jpg

E5C6775E-4834-46C5-8710-12EBAB13DB70.jpg

As you can see,no groove for the keeper but the body is also a lot different,could be an English distributor?
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Old 11-16-2019, 11:09 PM   #9
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Default Re: B model distributor question

It could be a local aftermarket or custom built to fit.
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Old 11-17-2019, 08:43 AM   #10
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Default Re: B model distributor question

I do not believe this to be a 1932-1934 Ford distributor.
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Old 11-17-2019, 11:44 AM   #11
Bob C
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Default Re: B model distributor question

I think it's for a Perfect or Popular. https://www.smallfordspares.co.uk/ca...res-electrical


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Old 11-17-2019, 02:29 PM   #12
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Default Re: B model distributor question

This is a late English distributor for the Anglia,Prefect etc etc . It is the later "tall" version the earlier one is more like a "B" . Later engines went to a chain driven camshaft so the centrifugal advance was opposite . The rotor arm should have an arrow on it to show which rotation it is set for . This is a very good unit and drops right into an A or B engine but you must make a locating groove in the stalk .

John in cool dark Suffolk County England .
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Old 11-17-2019, 07:12 PM   #13
Russ/40
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Default Re: B model distributor question

What does the advance mechanism look like?
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Old 11-17-2019, 08:55 PM   #14
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Default Re: B model distributor question

Does the B dist have a automatic advance?
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Old 11-17-2019, 09:49 PM   #15
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Default Re: B model distributor question

Quote:
Originally Posted by 31a View Post
Does the B dist have a automatic advance?
Yes, it does.
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Old 11-17-2019, 10:30 PM   #16
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Default Re: B model distributor question

Is it just camera angle? That distributor shaft appears to be badly off-center
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Old 11-18-2019, 12:50 AM   #17
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Default Re: B model distributor question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ/40 View Post
What does the advance mechanism look like?
This youtube video explains it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaX1-1igeWM
You can ignore the vacuum advance portion of the video as it does not apply to the Model A
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Old 11-18-2019, 01:55 AM   #18
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Default Re: B model distributor question

John is on the money exactly right , only the early gear driven cam can be used , I have a number of them, inside just like the B model , We have a few restored B ones here if anyone needs one ,
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Old 11-18-2019, 03:59 AM   #19
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Default Re: B model distributor question

Cheers for the replies,I figured it wasn’t a B model,I haven’t actually seen one in the flesh but was sure it would have the groove for the keeper if it was.
I wish I knew back when I was a young fella in NZ about the English fords,they were everywhere and I would of rounded up a few also.
And no,the shaft isn’t off centre,it’s bent. This one is junk really,to far gone.
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Old 11-18-2019, 11:15 AM   #20
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Default Re: B model distributor question

Quote:
Originally Posted by RUNNERBUN View Post
This youtube video explains it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaX1-1igeWM
You can ignore the vacuum advance portion of the video as it does not apply to the Model A
I understand fully the concept of early and late ignition. Specifically I was hoping someone would post a photo of the advance hardware below the upper plate. There seems to be little room for much under there.
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