Distributor housing casting differences

[tennsmith]

My apologies if this topic has been previously covered. I see two different styles of distributor housings for the A. One has the individual ears for the cap clips and another has a web across the top of the ears for additional strength and the clips are curved where they attach to the housing to allow clearance for the web. Were both of these styles original Ford items, or is one of them an after-market replacement?

TIA

 

[redmodelt]

From what has been posted here on the subject, I get the impression they came out in late 31 and were then used as Ford made replacements there after.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

My apologies if this topic has been previously covered. I see two different styles of distributor housings for the A. One has the individual ears for the cap clips and another has a web across the top of the ears for additional strength and the clips are curved where they attach to the housing to allow clearance for the web. Were both of these styles original Ford items, or is one of them an after-market replacement?

TIA

Actually there were about 4 or 5 different housings that were used. The "bridged unit" (the one with the web across the top of the ears) that you are referencing was an original Ford item that was also used in production for 1931 --however not all 1931 engines used this distributor base.

 

[160B]

RG&JS Area 2 Electrical System page 2-11 Revised 2011

Distributor bases, side view. Left to right-

1) base with round indent above ignition cable hole and square notches for upper plate (used from the beginning of production through March 1928).

2) base with round indent above ignition cable hole and round notches for upper plate (used from April 1928 through mid 1928).

3) base with no indent and round notches for upper plate (used from mid 1928 through the end of production).

4) base with no indent, round notches for upper plate and the bale ears are bridged (used an alternate design from January 1931 through the end of production).