Long Shaft Distributor Question

KMBeers

KMBeers

Senior Member
I am rebuilding the distributor on my 29 Tudor and found a one piece long shaft in the distributor that is unlike anything I found while doing my online research. The one piece shafts I saw had a collars pinned in place instead of the groove and retaining ring that was on my shaft. See the attached pictures. Can this distributor be converted to a two piece design or is there something unique about the body? Your help is appreciated before I go out to buy the parts to complete the rebuild.
 

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Both the January 1, 1928 and the July 1, 1931 Parts Price Lists contain a A-12178 Distributor Cam Shaft and an A-12249 Distributor Coupling Shaft. The 2-piece shaft of A-12178 + A-12249 is the original design. The Model B distributor also uses a 2-piece shaft. It appears that the one piece design is an after-market item.
 
It does not matter but if you are going to rebuild a distributor, you may want to start with the correct body.

What is in your picture is a later 1931 distributor body with the bridged ears for the clamps.

Again, no effect on drivability, they rebuild the same, just a 'correct' visual item for your '29.
 
The one piece shaft assumes that the head is on with absolute alignment so no lateral loading on the distributer body bearings . Go for the original two piece style as this acts as a slight universal joint so no adverse loading

John in same place same weather .
 
jb-ob said:
It does not matter but if you are going to rebuild a distributor, you may want to start with the correct body.

What is in your picture is a later 1931 distributor body with the bridged ears for the clamps.

Again, no effect on drivability, they rebuild the same, just a 'correct' visual item for your '29.
Click to expand...

On the other hand, I have seen several of the pre-31 distributor bodies with one ear broken off, making them pretty well useless. The bridged ear design is much stronger in that area, and for a driver I think more desirable.
 
Noticed you took the cam off and drove the shaft out, breaking the top ring off
The shaft looks worn too, don’t use it
Buy the new upper and lower shafts and you will be good
 
Thanks folks for all the help and comments. The one piece shaft that was in the car came out by removing the retaining ring on the top. I have not seen any images of anything like it so I am going to the two piece design. As dnkcurtis suggested the one piece shaft is toast. At this point I have the body media blasted and I have removed and replaced/reamed the bushings. Things are going back together pretty well so far.
 
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