questions about flathead distributors

1oldtimer

1oldtimer

Well-known member
what the difference between them year wise. which ones were 3 bolt and what were 2 bolt hold downs. can you use the "crab" ones on the '46-'48 blocks and which ones were the best. it looks like standard ignition makes a crab cap but none for the '46-'48 dist in the picture below. also on the round style ones is the cap a 2 piece, i have one but it's only the body (#12127 below) no rotor,cap or wires.

Flathead_Distributor_1946-48cap-wires.jpg


Flathead_Distributor_1942to44.jpg
 
ok i'm starting to answer some of my own questions by using the search function :rolleyes:.......i've got the a.d.d :(.
 
The body is the same for all 8 cyl crab distributors. 42 uses short clips and crab cap (12106). 46-48 uses the bail 12109 and large or deep cap
 
Crab type will fit on 59 blocks but the fan interfears with the wires.Crabs and the 46=48 dist.have the same body the difference being the rotor,cap and the clips holding the cap.
 
seems like everyone is doing the crab, because the helmet cap is hard to find. another stupid question, where does the vacuum line go to (how does the dist see vacuum signal).
 
1oldtimer said:
seems like everyone is doing the crab, because the helmet cap is hard to find. another stupid question, where does the vacuum line go to (how does the dist see vacuum signal).
Click to expand...
All dist 42-48 get there vacume through the 3rd hole on the back side of the dizzy with the rubber gromet in it. theres a passage in the cover and block for this. Ford eliminated the external line on these dizzys. ken ct. :)
 
ok i looked at it this weekend (cars is at my moms house :)), the nipple on the intake goes into a block (looks like a block in the book), Tees into the wiper motor, the other port runs to a hard line down to the timing cover (top drivers side). the timing cover has a passage inside straight to the hole under the distributor.
 
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