1937 distributor fits and 1946 engine ??

1

1937roadsterdeluxe

Junior Member
i just purchase a 24 bolts flat head 1946 , is brand new the guy have it before spent 5 k making this engine (original ) all new ,100%
even the distributor ,,but i have a 1937 ford coupe than i want install this engine a i want look like original, can i install a 1937 distributor in a 1946 engine without have any problem ???..thanks !!
 
To install the 33-41 dist on the 59A type engine with the shorter cam shaft,you will need adapter assy 11A 6280 A,and the earlier timing cover to mate the 3-bolt dist to the later engine. The adapter is a short piece with tang on one side & a slot on the other.I did the same mod on a 33 coupe with a 46-48 59A engine.
 
I'll add just a couple of tips to the previous advice: You'll be installing a rope seal in the timing cover. Soak it in hot engine oil before installing, and trim it longer than you think it should be. It will compress as it bolts up. The second tip is to drill through both the adapter and the distributor tang, and install a taper pin to hold the two together. Makes a much simpler install on the engine, especially as the '37 has limited working space. You'll want the hole in the tang to be one drill size larger to allow self centering.
 
The tang adaptor can be gotten from Dick Spadaro and use your old 37 timing cover from the 37. BTW 37 has a 4 bolt dist. It will still not look like a 37 motor as 37 is 21 stud and 46 is a 24 studder. Carb is diff.,fuel pump is diff.Hope you have 2 vacume inlets on the intake manifold. ken ct.
 
ford38v8 said:
The second tip is to drill through both the adapter and the distributor tang, and install a taper pin to hold the two together. Makes a much simpler install on the engine, especially as the '37 has limited working space. You'll want the hole in the tang to be one drill size larger to allow self centering.
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Alan, I am not following your instructions nor your reasoning for adding this tapered pin. Would you please elaborate more on this, especially on the instructions. I am picturing both the adaptor and the tang on the back of the distributor shaft in my mind, and for the life of me, I can not imagine how or where I would drill holes or place a pin that might help with assembly of these parts to the engine. I must admit it is early here and I have not had my first cup of coffee.
 
1937?

Where in Florida are you located?

Maybe I can help you make that coupe's engine really look like a '37.
 
I think all he needs is the tang adaptor to bring the nose of the shaft into the cam? i have seen some that have been pinned to the dist tang.If you put some heavy grease on it i think it can be installed without it falling off. Once dist is bolted up it wont go anywhere.Isnt the camshaft on a 59 motor set in more than 21 stud thus the need for the longer nose piece.?? ken ct. He does NOT need the adaptor plate!
 
JM 35 Sedan said:
Alan, I am not following your instructions nor your reasoning for adding this tapered pin. Would you please elaborate more on this, especially on the instructions. I am picturing both the adaptor and the tang on the back of the distributor shaft in my mind, and for the life of me, I can not imagine how or where I would drill holes or place a pin that might help with assembly of these parts to the engine. I must admit it is early here and I have not had my first cup of coffee.
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JM,

I see this from time to time in my cores box, i guess it makes sense as it appears to be home made from another distributor shaft.?????????? Pinned with cotter pin...
What ya think ? Farmer enginering ???


100_8947.jpg


1newstuff
 
There are a number of couplers made for matching distributors to cams. Here are a couple to compare. The larger is more common, the pinned one is an after market style but requires accurate drilling to prevent distributor bushing wear.
 

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Hoop

"Maybe I can help you make that coupe's engine really look like a '37".

There is probably more people that would like to do this.

As very interested in the Very same thing !!!
 
John, Bubba's pic shows one with a genuine Ford type fastening device! LOL

Dick, I use a taper pin to snug onto the adapter, and with the hole being slightly larger in the distributor tang, there is no critical need for super accurate drilling, as the pin is allowed to float in that hole.

More than one way to skin a cat. Actually, genuine Ford Baling Wire would suffice! Anyone know the part number for baling wire?
 
Grumpy, a good start would be to use an engine like the one in the foreground.

1937engine2.jpg
[/IMG]
 
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Hoop said:
Grumpy, a good start would be to use an engine like the one in the foreground.

1937engine2.jpg
[/IMG]
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Hoop ,,
Break it down a little for us , i too would like to know as i get this call each and every week.

? How can i run a crab on my late model engine ?????

?How can i run a chevrolet conversion on my 37 with a helment ????

Whats the posibilitys here ?????
 
What started out as a little tongue-in-cheek response is getting out of hand.:)

The point I failed to make was that ... "37Roadster" needs a '37 engine.

I have a '37 engine, AND I live in Florida same as 37Roadster.

IF he wants his engine to look original ... start with a '37, not a '46.;)

(Bubba Jim, I'm stuck in an originality rut with pre-war cars, BUT I'll do some tinkering.)
 
Hoop said:
What started out as a little tongue-in-cheek response is getting out of hand.:)

The point I failed to make was that ... "37Roadster" needs a '37 engine.

I have a '37 engine, AND I live in Florida same as 37Roadster.

IF he wants his engine to look original ... start with a '37, not a '46.;)

(Bubba Jim, I'm stuck in an originality rut with pre-war cars, BUT I'll do some tinkering.)
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Hoop,

Thats cool and after reading i kinda thought that was the answer you were providing......I get the call every day wanting to buy a crab for a pre-crab engine.
My answer is please do us all a favor and send me your helmet distributor and let us build it up. Those that do are very happy motorists for sure...:eek::)
 
ford38v8 said:
John, Bubba's pic shows one with a genuine Ford type fastening device! LOL

Dick, I use a taper pin to snug onto the adapter, and with the hole being slightly larger in the distributor tang, there is no critical need for super accurate drilling, as the pin is allowed to float in that hole.

More than one way to skin a cat. Actually, genuine Ford Baling Wire would suffice! Anyone know the part number for baling wire?
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Alan, after seeing Bubba's and Dick Spadaro's pictures I can understand how the pin would work on the smaller diameter adaptor. The one I have and am more familiar with is the larger diameter version shown in Dick's picture. Can that version be pinned to the distributor shaft tang?
 
John, I've never seen one of the larger variety as Bubba shows. I have no idea why a larger diameter adapter would be made anyway. Maybe you could explain the advantage to me?
 
larger dia. adapter will self center in the camshaft and will stay there better while you install the distributor--by the way a "farmer fix" is a nail not a cotter pin!!
 
ford38v8 said:
John, I've never seen one of the larger variety as Bubba shows. I have no idea why a larger diameter adapter would be made anyway. Maybe you could explain the advantage to me?
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Alan, maybe it's a left coast vs. right coast thing ;) but I have never seen the small diameter adaptor. I think alan from upstatesc has explained the advantage for both of us.
 
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