Crab style Distributor Cap

johncusano

johncusano

Member
Will the crab style replace the Y style cap that has the 8 plug wires jammed into the two holes? With out to much modification, 1948 ford with 59 engine,dont know the model of the dist. its stock two bolt. Thanks for any help.
 
The stock 46 y-style disty has two hold down clips. There was a bail on the helmet version.

[Edit: there is also a bail over the top cap in addition to the clips holding the lower cap]
 
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The '42 crab cap distributor had two spring clips that held the cap in place. The rabbit ear cap with two openings for wires had a single bail that held its two caps to the distributor body. The earlier helmet distributors had two bails, one on each side to hold its two inner and two outer caps in place.
Many of the suppliers sell a kit with all parts and pieces required to convert the rabbit ear caps back to a crab cap. You also need to change the rotor.
 
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All I know is that my 46 rabbit ear distributor cap has two hold down clips and a bail over the upper cap.
 
Yup, you just need the two clips and the rotor that are made for the crab cap to convert the two part dist cap. Check to make sure the crab wires will clear the belt(s).
 
I have a crab type distributor on my French motor.
The clip conversion parts are easily available.
I bought a new set of plug wires and spec'd 90 degree terminals coming out of the cap. This keeps the wires out of the way of the pulleys.

Mart.
 
John,
Before you reinstall the distributor on the motor check for rotor internal
interference with the cap. The crab cap registers on the outside of the distributor
housing and the later type cap registers on the inside of the distributor housing.
Charlie ny
 
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