Distributor ?

D

DeeGee

Junior Member
Hello Ford Barn

I new here and for my first post I have a question about flathead distributors,

I have my Dads 59A and am trying to figure out what its about.

Would anyone here care to guide me? I can't turn up anything online and only found adds for similar ones in the '50s hot rod mags that were also his.

It's a helmet type with a large coil on top. They were sold under the Harmen and Collins, Wico, Evens and W&H brands.

Pictures? Let's see if I can,,,,,,,,
 

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I though I read some where that it was a Lincoln V-12.

Thanks Ken

I sure would like to know how it works. I have the coil off and see it's a duel point but have no clue what the connections are.

I called Bubbas today but he hasn't got back to me yet.

This engine has sat for about sixty years, It has little time on it. My dad bought it new and hot rodded it.

That's gonna be the source of many more questions.
 
That engine looks like it was really something back in the day! Is your Dad still around? Are there any other family members that can supply some information? Looks like it was a top notch unit when it was built!
 
Yes that's a Lincoln V12 converted to 8 cylinders. It was very popular back in the 40's and 50's. It's a good collectors Item and they do runvery well, IF in good working condition.
 
I can't tell, from your photos, if the Lincoln distributor has been modified for the V8 most of the work necessary is internal. There does not appear to be a nameplate such as from Harman Collins but there have been instructions for do it yourselfers one of the easy ways to tell is to look at the inner distributor caps. Modified distributors have brass or copper strips soldered to the inside terminals.
 
Thanks guys,

Sadly I lost my dad to Parkinson's in Aug. of '14.

What I was told, He bought the engine new and built it to what you see. First running it in a drop tank at Amelia Earhart Field in Miami then in a '31 Roadster (that never really hit the street) until the event of marriage and kids. He sold the A and It's sat sense about '58.

I opened it up and it has Std. Bore pistons in clean cyls. The heads are Eddie Myers and the manifold is Weiand. It had pennies in it to block the water ports.

It has a hot cam in it that I still haven't got to but he always said it was too much for the street. He also bought some Offy heads for it saying the Eddies weren't what he needed for the street. I have no clue about the valves and springs. It also has some extra '97s

That's about all I remember and I could be off a bit.

I bought a '30 coupe that is pretty rough but has a '40 Flathead and rear plus '39 trans. with juice brakes. I'm currently after the rear and will up grade to Lincoln brakes.

It's a fun kinda headache.
 
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I havent got to back to you on the phone, however we can redo the lincoln etc distributor and set it up for you anytime you want. Just box er up and ship to us , we can get er done. Put all info in the box with distributor....

Bubbas Hot Rod Shop
1330 Main Street
Speedway Indiana 46224
 
Thanks Jim,

No need to call me back at this point. I'll get back to you when I'm ready to do something with it.

I got a lot to learn.

Thanks to all of you who replied. Every little bit helps.

More pics,
 

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The electric fan has to go!!!

I need to find some headers to clear the F-100 box. The econo headers have been dented in to much for clearance.
 
t's a Lincoln V12 coil and distributor. The coil is 2 36 type coils in
one case. The left coil feeds the 4 left plugs and the 4 or the right
feed that side. It's been years since I had one and can't remember
but I know some lobes are removed on the distributor cam. It takes
2 resistors, one on each side of the coil. Maybe Ron can help. G.M.
 
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