NEW Stromberg electronic dizzy

There are many ignition systems that have no vacuum component in their advance curve, and the engines run just fine. However, for a street engine that spends 90% of it time in cruise, the vacuum advance is very critical when it comes to power. It's part of the tuning process to retard the spark under power when a richer mixture is introduced into the engine. In cruise the lean mixture need more advance, thus the vacuum advance. All modern ignition systems from the early 30's have it. Most racing ignition systems don't need it.
 
British made ,eh? "Prince of Darkness" comes to mind...Just kidding! I suppose only carbon core wires have to be run...No copper,right?
 
Can this unit run using a generator or do you need run an alternator?

I thought I've read somewhere that these (previous ones) don't like the spikes and dips that can come from using a generator.
 
I've looked for these on google and can't seem to find them, is there a better word to use other than "Stromberg distributor"?
 
It's all a matter of terminology. But think about how it works. When there is high vacuum in the system, the piston is pulled back inside the distributor allowing the centrifugal advance to work advancing the spark. More vacuum, more advance. What do you call that?
 
The problem is, you can not exceed the centrifugal advance and at part throttle more advance is needed for efficient running, hence distributors with vacuum advance.
 
tubman said:
It's all a matter of terminology. But think about how it works. When there is high vacuum in the system, the piston is pulled back inside the distributor allowing the centrifugal advance to work advancing the spark. More vacuum, more advance. What do you call that?
Click to expand...

Vacuum retard. :) Total distributor advance stays the same, around 24 degrees, or whatever you set it to. The first actual vacuum advance, in addition to mechanical/centrifugal, was introduced in '57 for Fords.
The vacuum retard was needed in the days of poor quality gas, not so much today.
 
Last edited:
See? Terminology! The increase in vacuum doesn't increase the amount of advance, because, as you point out, it can't. It does however reduce the amount the centrifugal advance is retarded by the vacuum brake by pulling the brake piston away from the centrifugal advance disk inside the distributor. If you reduce the amount the timing is retarded, it is more advanced than it would normally be. You say tomato and I say tomatoe. Would you agree that by adding vacuum at a certain RPM with one of these things, the actual timing of the spark is advanced (by being retarded less)? I believe the term "vacuum advance" more clearly describes what is going on. Maybe we should call what happens "vacuum anti-retard" or perhaps "vacuum non-retard". In my opinion, "vacuum retard" is the least correct description of what is actually happening with the timing of the spark.

Bob, I'm starting to enjoy these discusions with you; they always make me think harder than I normally do.
 
Not really, because vacuum releases the brake. It would be correct it vacuum applied the brake.

"Vacuum Brake" has been in common use since the inception of these things and, as such, has become the accepted colloquial term. Just like a few aficionados use engine oil in their cars, while most people just use motor oil.
 
Last edited:
Believe it is the change in vacuum (actually pressure change) that applies the brake and removes the brake. The brake is operated by a change in vacuum (pressure difference) and thus it is a vacuum operated brake, or vacuum brake.
 
Or we could use the actual Ford ad???????:confused:
 

Attachments

  • VAC BRAKE.jpg
    VAC BRAKE.jpg
    90.6 KB · Views: 95
The Ford rebuild guide uses the term Vacuum Brake.
 

Attachments

  • VacBrake2.jpg
    VacBrake2.jpg
    25.2 KB · Views: 30
  • VacBrake.JPG
    VacBrake.JPG
    38.4 KB · Views: 39
  • Rebuild Cover.jpg
    Rebuild Cover.jpg
    35.1 KB · Views: 27
These are ready to ship...

21A-12 two bolt 12v neg
21A-6 two bolt 6v pos

11A-12 three bolt 12v neg
11A-6 three bolt 6v pos

All the same price: $375 retail
ford nut said:
can you get these uncle max? I think I want to try one. thank you, kurt. (depending on cost)
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top