37 ford helmet distributor questions

F

fatkidscars

Well-known member
Working on a 37 Ford coope with a Flathead in it with the helmet style distributor and I am not getting spark at the points face. But when I open them with a screw driver it arks on the back side of the points to the housing, trying to figure out what is going on.amy help appreciated thanks
 
points have insulating corrosion layer.
I usually take them out and use a diamond knife sharpener to clean and smooth and clean the surface.
for a quick get back on the road I have scraped the surface with a knife.
 
One side of the points should be ground, if they are arcing elsewhere you may want to remove the distributor and points and clean.
 
I'm not sure your distributor is still on the engine or not. The coil and condenser have to be in place which makes the only access through one of the distribution caps. A high tension spark has to go somewhere at discharge so it takes the path of least resistance if it can't make it to a spark plug. I'd recommend working on the bench to check out an old helmet type distributor, This way, everything can be checked for condition and function. A good manual and a 6-inch steel rule are needed other than common hand tools. The flyweights in the advance unit likely need service and inspection and the vacuum brake as well. The assembly only goes back on one way so that part is no problem.

I use a good copy of the old 1932 to 1941 Ford & Mercury shop manual. I also use the 1939 through 1948 service manual for the later cars. This is a Link:
https://www.themotorbookstore.com/1...5Ki1jOPN5xEqkQJygCNP2_imy0eaxVb_Zk873YbC4MMFR
 
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