Distributor 'Sealant Plug'

Mike as Dad said it doesnt matter
its all 4 judging points and will not effect the operation of the car....
hell mine are open also
 
I have been using Dum-Dum for this application for years and never had any melt. It comes in black from Napa. Just roll up some in your palms into a ball and press it in. If you want it to look exactly like the picture, find some kind of plastic tubing, thin walled, with an outside diameter the same size as the hole in the distributor, find something like a dowel that is the same size as the inside diameter of the tube. Put the ball of Dum-Dum in the end of the tubing, slip the tube into the distributor, put the dowel in the other end of the tube and push the dowel and the Dum-Dum into the hole, this will leave the Dum-Dum with just a little sticking out with a rounded head as the picture. Really works.
 
How about rubber like tire rubber? chuck it into a lathe using electronic freeze spray, freeze it, and machine it. If it works I'll take 2.
 
If you are using traditional points and condenser, put the condenser in with the screw on the back as you normally do, then put the Dum-Dum into the hole and cover up the screw. In fine point judging the judges wouldn't be able to see the copper plated screw but they have to assume it is in there. For distributors that use the modern condenser, you put a dummy traditional condenser in the hole. I used to cut old ones in half for years but now the vendors sell the dummys. Of course there won't be a screw to be seen in the hole, you just put the Dum-Dum in the hole and it will stay there. Does this answer your question Steve?
 
Dale G. said:
I have been using Dum-Dum for this application for years and never had any melt. It comes in black from Napa. Just roll up some in your palms into a ball and press it in. If you want it to look exactly like the picture, find some kind of plastic tubing, thin walled, with an outside diameter the same size as the hole in the distributor, find something like a dowel that is the same size as the inside diameter of the tube. Put the ball of Dum-Dum in the end of the tubing, slip the tube into the distributor, put the dowel in the other end of the tube and push the dowel and the Dum-Dum into the hole, this will leave the Dum-Dum with just a little sticking out with a rounded head as the picture. Really works.
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have you ever used the tube method? if so what exactly did you find to work good?
 
Not really Dale, the way I read your post #23, the tube method only works from the inside out, utilizing a modern condenser. If this method is used with an original type condenser, it has to be done from the outside, making the top of the dum dum flat as you push with the dowel. I can certainly see cramming it in from the outside, but since you had been doing it for years I thought I was missing something. I can see it working with a modern condener, but going that route, why would you need to worry about the plug anyway?
 
Mitch,

Yes I have used the tubing as I said initially and just kept looking everywhere to find a piece that would suit me. I usually for myself, just roll up a ball of Dum-Dum and push it in the hole with my thumb. All you are trying to do is plug the hole to keep the water out. I only do the tube thing for fine point cars. Take a close look at fine point cars at national meets.
 
When I rebuilt the distributor for A1276, I found among some distributor parts a rubber plug that was the same size as the hole in the distributor. I inserted the plug in the hole, it seated on the screw, and has never come out. I just went down to the garage and checked the plug again and it is still in place. The plug, as I recall, was about 1/4" deep with a small shoulder that rests on the outside of the distributor housing. It is the only plug I had and have no idea where it came from ?

The A went thru Blue Ribbon Judging in San Diego and I did not lose and points on the distributor.
At least I did not have to worry about it melting.
Ron
 
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Hand made plug...perfect!
 

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Mitch//pa said:
Mark
what did you make your plug out of? it looks good
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Steve Wastler said:
I like it Mark, do tell....
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Actually i must confess, I bought 6 NOS sealant plugs...boiled them and than began to shape, sand, file, drill and work them as we do with restoration....it was time consuming but paid off greatly. :D, i am very very happy with the results and so were the judges in electrical last weekend!
 
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