distributor to rotor clearance

marty in Ohio

marty in Ohio

Well-known member
I know that the clearance between the upper distributor body and the rotor should be .025 inches. How critical is this measurement? Two of the points are right on but the other two are maybe twice as big. The upper body is brand new. How will this affect how the car will run?
Thanks for any help.
Marty
 
If the ignition system is producing a strong spark, it probably won’t make a difference. But it could….

Check the play in the distributor shaft in the body of the distributor. It may be time to replace bushings and distributor shaft.

You might also try replacing the upper body with another one - some suppliers like Brattons or Snyders will post information about the parts they sell that may be helpful.

The body sold by Snyders looks pretty interesting.

Good luck - Jim
 
Bend the rotor to get the correct gap at the terminal that has the widest gap then file the other three down to get the correct gap.
I don't think I have ever seen one where they were all the same before adjusting.
 
How does one bend the metal part of the rotor w/out breaking the bakelite (plastic?) part?
That's a skill I haven't mastered yet.
 
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This should help:
 

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I recently purchased a distributor body with steel inserts, rotor and cap from Snyder's. The distributor body was a very loose fit on the distributor and after installing the rotor the cap would not fit because the rotor was too high. I compared the old and new and the new distributor body was around 1/8 inch thinner/shorter. I sent it back and now using the old one, looking for a distributor body made in USA that one was made in China.
 
Interesting! The distributor body came new from Snyders and a new rotor, again from Snyders, will be here tomorrow. I'll keep y'all posted.
Marty
 
I keep original and 1930s replacement distributor bodies because they are much more rugged than the reproductions. Also, I believe that the Bakelite of the old ones is dimensionably more stable a material. Most of the old ones cleanup with Acetone / lacquer thinner and a coat of wax.
 
Where is the specification of .025 from?
The only specifications i have found in era books is .005 in a 1931 radio installation book
 
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