Distributor - Don't make same mistake as me

adileo

adileo

Well-known member
I recently ordered an 11A distributor from Bubba. Yesterday I noticed that the Distributor Vacuum Brake Adjuster (see Pic) was no longer attached in/on the distributor.
199426




I contacted Bubba and he is replacing it (thanks Bubba), but he also mentioned that they ship these loose.

So if you get one - be sure to tighten it down.
 

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I will write up a service article on these as soon as i can. This has happened a few times ....when we machine test the new distributor i loosen up the adjustment screw and sometimes run the unit with the whole part loose.......
These need a adjustment or two on the car when the distributor is installed...
As shipped from us the adjustment screw is all out with approx three turns inward.....
 
Bubba.....off topic.... I recently sent you an email from the UK asking if you could supply a good quality condenser and contact breaker for my 32 Model B

Any ideas ?

Thank you
 
BUBBAS IGNITION said:
I will write up a service article on these as soon as i can. This has happened a few times ....when we machine test the new distributor i loosen up the adjustment screw and sometimes run the unit with the whole part loose.......
These need a adjustment or two on the car when the distributor is installed...
As shipped from us the adjustment screw is all out with approx three turns inward.....
Click to expand...


How do you adjust them on the car?
 
Bubba - Just to be clear - I'm missing the whole unit shown - not just the adjuistment screw - I think we are on same page but want to be sure.
 
Ford process was full throttle acceleration from low speed with screw backed almost off. More than very minor and brief pinging means screw needs to go down in small increments until pinging is nearly or entirely gone. With modern gas engine will likely be happy with screw adjusted out...move it by finger until you find the stop, crankit back in maybe a turn or so because you need a slight drag on the floating brake disc.
The brake slows down the advance rate.
 
"The vacumn brake is also set on this machine. When the rebuilt distributor is installed there should be no need for further adjustments. G.M."

Just posted. Which is it?
 
tiger.1000 said:
bubba.....off topic.... I recently sent you an email from the uk asking if you could supply a good quality condenser and contact breaker for my 32 model b

any ideas ?

Thank you
Click to expand...

yes its on my desk , i was searching to see if echlin made a quality set....will do tomorrow..........
 
A little clarification here is needed .

I can adjust the vacuum break on the machine but in reality i can only verify functionality .
I have no way of knowing how much vacuum each engine and carb has. Way too many variables, gear ratio alone would be one parameter i cant see or know.
We run each distributor with the vacuum brake lightly lubed and apppy a slight drag to stablize the spark. Then prior to shipment i give the adjustment screw approx three turns inward.
Ford specs say drive the car and loosen until spark knock is heard and then turn screw inward until spark knock (ping) goes away.
Anyone noticing spark knock with todays fuel ????:eek::)

I have thought long and hard about this topic and feel a post should be made up but simply havent had the time or the cars around to get one done.
Can you imagine the manifold vacuum differences in lets say 10 cars ?????
 
Drive the car at a steady 35 mph on flat ground, then stab it. If you hear the ping, you need to screw the center bolt down a half turn. Try it again, if it still pings, screw another half turn. Etc. When the ping is gone, give it one last half turn and tighten the lock nut.

If you have no ping at the beginning of this test, you may want to screw the center bolt most of the way out and go through the procedure anyway just to assure optimum adjustment.
 
This thread has been very helpful. Thanks to everyone who posted and Bubba for his expertise.

Bubba, you need to train or teach someone everything you know or else you will have to be on the fordbarn forever :).
 
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