jwharton35
New member
i moved away from points because ive had two failed distributors and several sets of points. that being said it very well could be the quality of the parts. ive bought them all from the early ford store.
helmet distributor
- Thread starter Alaska Jim
- Start date
I cant see how one of your dist caps that has rotated slightly because the locating lug is broken would have any effect at all on your ignition timing. How do you know that the ignition timing is retarded? Also are you 6 or 12 volts? Original coil on top of dist or an adaptor coil used? If points are out of adjustment then that will effect ignition timing and so if your Pertronix pick up unit is fitted slightly out of position that will alter timing. As others have stated it would be advisable to stay away from electronics. These Ford V8 distributors have worked very well for the last eighty years so what are you trying to improve on? Regards, Kevin.
35fordtn
Well-known member
Bob it’s been five years years since I’ve used one on a helmet and I should have stated that from the get go. Back then I called and explained both issues give a “gee you are the first to complain” response.
Maybe they have since fixed the issues, but in the past year I have at least five sent In to the shop to convert back to points due to failure. Not sure how old each unit was though.
I personally think on the early flatheads were the distributor mounts to the front of the wngine, the my absorb a lot of heat and that may be the issue. As for strombergs electronic distributor though, I personally haven’t seen a failure out of those yet.
Maybe they have since fixed the issues, but in the past year I have at least five sent In to the shop to convert back to points due to failure. Not sure how old each unit was though.
I personally think on the early flatheads were the distributor mounts to the front of the wngine, the my absorb a lot of heat and that may be the issue. As for strombergs electronic distributor though, I personally haven’t seen a failure out of those yet.
JSeery
Member Emeritus
Noticed a thread on these distributors, guess looks aren't everything!! 
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261218
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261218
Well my brothers and I winter project is done and say stick with points and stock distributor (ideally with 11A stamped on the end). I only have one 11A the other backups are the older advance "brake" drsign. Back to points my brother and I spent 2 mths working on a design which would strickly test for dwell and dwell time. It was a very interisting project but led me to the final conclusion of sticking with points.
