helmet distributor

Alaska Jim

Alaska Jim

Well-known member
Since Jim Linder ( Bubba's Ignition) is no longer doing distributors, who rebuilds and properly sets up the helmet type distributor. I have a friend with a 39 Ford deluxe, and he is having problems with the dist. I do not know anything about them, all my stuff is the 8ba style flatheads. I do not know of anyone here in the Anchorage/Palmer/Wasilla area of Alaska who has a dist. machine to properly set them up. anyone have any recommendations? All info appreciated. Thanks
 
Alaska Jim said:
Since Jim Linder ( Bubba's Ignition) is no longer doing distributors, who rebuilds and properly sets up the helmet type distributor. I have a friend with a 39 Ford deluxe, and he is having problems with the dist. I do not know anything about them, all my stuff is the 8ba style flatheads. I do not know of anyone here in the Anchorage/Palmer/Wasilla area of Alaska who has a dist. machine to properly set them up. anyone have any recommendations? All info appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...

Michael Driskell at 3rd Generation does these distributors. Recommended.
Phil NZ
 
Last edited:
It is Michael Driskell (note spelling) in McMinnville, TN. It is best to call and talk directly to Michael at (844) 327-5988. He does a great job, quick turnaround.

Ken
 
Alaska Jim, what problems does your buddy have with his distributor?

(By the way, Google is NOT "your friend" ... tracks and records everything you do on your computer.)
 
Michael Driskell @ Third Generation Automotive, aka "35fordtn" here on Fordbarn, and Charlie Schwendler, aka "Charlie ny" also here on Fordbarn, are both highly recommend individuals for early Ford V8 distributor repairs and timing set up, plus many other services. Both are also long standing members here on Fordbarn and can be contacted using the Fordbarn PM/Email system.
 
Last edited:
JM 35 Sedan said:
Michael Driskell @ Third Generation Automotive, and Charlie Schwendler, aka Charlie ny are both highly recommend individuals for early Ford V8 distributor repairs and timing set up, plus many other services. Both are also long standing members here on Fordbarn and can be contacted using the PM system here.
Click to expand...

Most likely will not work with Michael, need to call.
 
Thanks everyone for the information, I will pass it along. I have done business with Charlie before, but was not aware he did early distributors.
 
Skip in Florida does the Stock type Ford Helmet Distrs. He has done
them for 25 years and does 4 or 5 every day. He uses the original
Ford~Heyer strobe machine that all the ford dealers and machine
shops used. He sets them to the original Ford specs and they usually
don't need any adjustments. If there is a ping you just move the
little adjustment screw on the side. Price is $60.00 if no major parts
are required. A running distributor usually don't need parts. G.M.
 
hey guys this is alaska jims friend with the helmet distributor. i just figured out today that my left side rotor cap was moved the tab that holds it in place must have broke off. i moved it back to where it needs to be however it is still retarded as in timing snd if i move it closer to where it should be it doesnt like to run well. my thought is maybe the vacuum advance is not working properly?any advice is welcome. also i do have petronix on it and did their tests.
 
jwharton, good that you provided some information on the actual problem.

Sounds like something you can handle yourself and probably do not need to send out your distributor.

Is this a new install ... or have you been driving the car with it running well until this happened?

Did you install the Pertronix yourself?

There's a good chance that replacing the cap and a little adjusting on the initial advance will fix you up. (There's a tab with marks on it and a set screw on the side of the unit ... where is that set?)
 
Last edited:
ive been driving it actually the second distributor ive installed. i installed the petronix myself called the petronix people and did a few of their tests. the weird thing is that it is fully retarded and thats the best way it will run currently. when the new caps come in im hoping it will take care of the problem otherwise i suspect the only other thing could be the vacuum advance your thoughts?
 
Petronix does not work well on the early distributors. The timing is hard to set due to the fact they located the tab in the wrong spot... 32/48 distributors do not have a vacuum advance. They have a vacuum brake. This is certainly not your issue. What exactly is your issue? A miss?

-Michael Driskell
 
OK, Michael is on the case. He has the specific Pertronix experience that'll help you.
 
As another note.. I have seen quite a few petronix units in the 32-41's fail.. So much so, that I refuse to install them anymore. Points will last you thousands of trouble free miles if setup properly.
 
35fordtn said:
Points will last you thousands of trouble free miles if setup properly.
Click to expand...

Amen, to that.....and I might add.... a known good quality condenser along with that good quality set of points, and all components set up correctly, are very crucial in getting those many trouble free miles.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top