Hard lessons learned

[metalho]

I've never been very good at electrical problems, and even less informed about motor work. We started having problems on the 30 pickup about a month ago, I have to admit we were not very systematic about tracking down the problem correctly and so in the process of trying to track down the electrical gremlins have changed out the entire system. After all that we still are having trouble. Last night going through the trouble shooting check list we determined we had voltage everywhere accept to the upper distributor plate. I previously pulled the distributor apart and found that the lower plate wire was badly worn, so trimmed the loose hairs and cleaned everything up hoping for the best. Already long story short. I need to rebuild my distributor, should I just get a rebuild kit, or buy a new distributor already assembled? I just want to get on with the restoration, but restoring a non running truck is stupid.

 

[Ken B]

If you are having electrical problems with a newly painted chassis then the first thing I would check is that you have good grounding connections. Electrons don't like flowing through paint.

 

[Mike]

Metalho,
First off your truck is outstanding !! great job.
I would purchase a rebuild kit from the venders and do it yourself. I would rebuild 2 distributors and 2 carbs, all set up for your truck as spares.

Mike

 

[P.S.]

If you don't have good soldering or basic electrical skills, you'd be money ahead to buy one of the already-built distributors from Brattons, or whomever.

If you're not in a big hurry, you could send it to me and I'd fix it for you.

 

[John Duden]

WHAT A BEUTIFUL TRUCK!!! DON"T STOP NOW!!!! i'd say rebuild it yourself! it takes about an hour to do it (not including painting) it is really simple, I would suggest putting a piece of rubber behind the lower contact plat where the ignition switch gets bolted to so it does not ground out, and a wireless lower plate!
KEEP ON TRUCKIN'
John

 

[Purdy Swoft]

If you don't have experience removing, replacing and reaming distributor bushings, buying a rebuilt distributor would be the quick easy way to go. Distributor housings are easy to break. I've broken a few over the years. I would recommend the one with original points. I've heard that If you buy a rebuilt from Snyders, you actually get a new distributor.

 

[cedar]

Go for it.

 

[mccsix]

Don't let the little s*** wear you down you've come too far and have too much to look forward to.....

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

", but restoring a non running truck is stupid"

No it isn't, it's just a step in the restoration process to fix what isn't working.
I'm pretty sure John forgot the word "NOT" in his last sentence.
I wouldn't use a wireless plate, and I wouldn't use modern points.

 

[metalho]

Thanks for the pep talk guys. Waiting for parts to arrive only to find out I didn't go through my check list has been a real downer. Im just going to order a new distributor from MAC's.........Thanks again....

Model A Ford Distributor - New - Body & Rotor & Cap & Lower Shaft Not Included





YearPart NumberRequired NumberUnit Of Measure1928-1931A12127N1EACH



All New - no core exchange needed. Original style, top-quality, USA made.

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PART #DESCRIPTIONPRICEQTY A12127NModel A Ford Distributor - New - Body & Rotor & Cap & Lower Shaft Not Included$145.00 EACH

 

[P.S.]

Im just going to order a new distributor from MAC's.........Thanks again....

Good choice!

The thing to be careful with the purchase of a new unit is the wire used between the lower plate and the upper plate.

The wire that is supposed to be used has dozens of very fine strands of copper and is very flexible, almost like string.

Many of the new distributors that have crossed my workbench for other people do not have that very flexible wire, and it needs to be replaced with the proper wire to have long life.

I cannot remember if it is Snyders or Bratton's that comes with the correct wire between upper and lower plates, but one of them does and the other does not. I don't know which supplier MACs uses. Just heads up.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Besides the very flexible fine strand wire, be sure the terminal is bent as Marco show's in his picture.

 

[700rpm]

I recommend rebuilding it yourself. It is one of the most basic pieces in the system. There are lots of good references on how to do it (Marco's site, for instance), it costs less, and you learn where the potential problems in the future might occur. If you get down the road a year or two from now and your complete unit, which you only bought and installed, goes south on you, how will you know where to look for the problem if you haven't had it apart and know how it's supposed to work? You could be stuck without knowing how a simple repair would get you going again, which is usually all it takes.

And don't fuss around with wireless lower plates and modern points. Henry knew what he was doing. When you understand how and why things were built the way they were and work the way they do you will have a lot more confidence in your car.