Changing Points 1935 V8

B

bluestem

Member
I have a broken steel spring on the drivers side point (1935 Flathead). So just ordered a set of points. Anyone have any good suggestions on a slick method of changing/setting the points before I blunder my way through it??? I have the radiator pulled, so that helps. Still waiting on the parts.

Thanks, Chuck
 
www.bubbashotrodshop.com

My suggestion unless you have rebuilt one before is contact the person above and have it done correctly the first time. They will answer the phone and questions.

Or one of the other Ford Barn members who repair/rebuild Flathead Ford distributors such as ken ct.

Mark
 
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I agree with Pat. Let one of the distributor guys on here go through yours. They might find more than broken points that need to be repaired or replaced. If they have a machine they can set the timing. If you want to go the next step, get a coil rewound by Skip Haney.
 
Call me if you want.Its kind of intimidating the first couple of times. 1-203-260-5945 cell ken ct.I'll try and walk you through it.I hate to type long explainations.
 
Blue,
Did you really mean you removed the radiator.....that is not required.
Detach the spark plug wire conduits and outer caps...move them away. Disconnect
the coil wire (red wire) from the coil then remove the 3 cap screws that attach the
dist from the timing cover. The dist assembly is now ready to yank off.
The only way to service a front mounted dist is off the motor. I can send
you copies of the original FORD service bulletins regarding this if you would like to
do 'er yerself.
Charlie ny
cas5845@yahoo.com
 
Thanks for all the great info. I just put an engine in my '35, so it was easy to pull the radiator since I had the body off the frame. Just from looking at the distributor, it seems the best/only way to work on it was too pull it off. Since I am new to flatheads, I wasn't sure if that was the way. You just can't see anything inside the distributor without pulling it. When I pulled the radiator I could look up and see the points; one spring was broken. I also have an extra old distributor that I may take apart to experiment on.

Ken CT I will give you all call when I get parts. Charlie, I will email you for the old Ford bulletins. Thanks again. Yeah, I am a do-it-yourselfer who gets into things deeper than my technical abilities!!! I put the body back on this car yesterday.

Thanks,

Chuck
South Dakota
 
One good book you can get reasonable is V-13,about all the big box vendors have them. Great full page breakdowns of carbs,dist,gen. and about everything mechanical on trans etc etc. ken ct. About $15 last i saw.
 
Sorry its VB-13 repair and service manual 32-36 Now $22.50 plus ship. Were like $10 when i bought mine yrs ago.Great for the DIY guys. They other yrs . Macs catalouge pg 280. back of book. ken ct.
 
If you are conferdent that its been set up on a Dis machine at some stage .Mark the sliding advance plate , close and Take note of the point gap on the broken one ,replace it with the new one ,
 
I really don't know much about this engine?? Bought it from a guy who put a 100hp in his '35 cabriolet; he is a car dealer in Minneapolis. The original engine had a cracked block. Ken I will pick up the book as I may need it on other areas of the car. First step is to replace the points and then see what the next problem is; carb?? Flathead Ted; I assume the 'sliding advance plate' is the plate on the left side of the distributor as you face the engine. Does this plate move when you take the distributor out or is it fixed on the distributor? I put the body back on the car yesterday and am putting the fenders etc back on this weekend. Probably won't get points until next week from Mac's.

Thanks,

Chuck
 
bluestem said:
I really don't know much about this engine?? Bought it from a guy who put a 100hp in his '35 cabriolet; he is a car dealer in Minneapolis. The original engine had a cracked block. Ken I will pick up the book as I may need it on other areas of the car. First step is to replace the points and then see what the next problem is; carb?? Flathead Ted; I assume the 'sliding advance plate' is the plate on the left side of the distributor as you face the engine. Does this plate move when you take the distributor out or is it fixed on the distributor? I put the body back on the car yesterday and am putting the fenders etc back on this weekend. Probably won't get points until next week from Mac's.

Thanks,

Chuck
Click to expand...
Check your PM's ken ct.
 
"Check your PM's ken ct."

Ken, it might be helpful to others if you posted your instructions on the board rather than PM them.

Your, and Charlie's, willingness to help is certainly to be commended. You two and Bubba have shared a lot of information ... considering that you do this kind of work for money.

Not everyone wants to send out all their work for someone to do for them. Many folks like to try things, like working on their own distributor, as part of enjoying the hobby. Equally important is passing on the skills in order to preserve original equipment rather unnecessarily replacing it with needless modern equipment.

Post your stuff. Many of us read with interest what guys like you, Charlie and Bubba write and appreciate it. Many simply lurk and are anxious to soak up the knowledge.
 
Hoop said:
"Check your PM's ken ct."

Ken, it might be helpful to others if you posted your instructions on the board rather than PM them.

Your, and Charlie's, willingness to help is certainly to be commended. You two and Bubba have shared a lot of information ... considering that you do this kind of work for money.

Not everyone wants to send out all their work for someone to do for them. Many folks like to try things, like working on their own distributor, as part of enjoying the hobby. Equally important is passing on the skills in order to preserve original equipment rather unnecessarily replacing it with needless modern equipment.

Post your stuff. Many of us read with interest what guys like you, Charlie and Bubba write and appreciate it. Many simply lurk and are anxious to soak up the knowledge.
Click to expand...
Sorry Hoop its too long and drawn out for me to be typing it all out. Best i can do is on the phone. And he cant beat that offer from Charlie. ken ct.
 
Hey, your guys are GREAT !!!

Appreciate all the help and I will call Ken ct when I get the points.

I was used to changing points/condenser in normal distributors; take off the cap and change em. This dist on the flathead up front was different! Not used to pulling the dist and working on it. Then with the radiator so close, you can't see anything. I had taken the body/fenders off and installed this flathead, put the radiator back on and tried to start it. Current was to the dist but could not get any spark. After screwing around awhile, I pulled the radiator to work on dist ( just two bolts and 4 hoses and it was off). Could see the broken spring on the points. When I get the points installed, I'll try again.

Had a '46 Ford flathead in high school; ran well and all I ever did was pound out all the dents, body filler, and painted it a yellow only second to the sun in brightest. Baby moons and glamour rings;sold it for $70. Working on Flatheads is a new FUN experience.

Chuck
 
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