39 helmet distributor no spark

[Ryan44mn]

Hello, have a 39 flathead with a helmet distributor, no spark. On inspection, I noticed a gap if roughly 3/8" between coil, and rotor.
Seems wrong to me. I attached a picture showing the gap.

 

[Lawrie]

The carbon brush must touch the rotor, sometimes they get stuck in the spring.
Lawrie

 

[FlatheadTed]

X 2 .The points look pretty crusty to from what i can see,The whole unit may need setting up by Michael 3rd Gen is one of the go to guys ..You can sand the points to get you going .

 

[petehoovie]

Hello, have a 39 flathead with a helmet distributor, no spark. On inspection, I noticed a gap if roughly 3/8" between coil, and rotor.
Seems wrong to me. I attached a picture showing the gap.

 

[TerryOH]

There is a very light spring behind the carbon brush that pushes the brush toward the rotor. The hole has to be clean for the brush and spring to work properly. Old coils can leak a tar like substance into this area. If there is the gooey tar the coil has most likely overheated reducing it's useful life. The brush and spring are available from the usual suppliers.