Replacing distributor wire on 49-51 flathead

[dono50]

I need to replace the hot wire that is located below the distributor plate on an 8BA 49-51 flathead.
Can this be accomplished without removing the plate ?
Your comments

 

[LuckyFordGuy]

Yes it can take the distributer out lots easier

 

[dono50]

Thanks, LuckyForGuy. I have an intermittent electric problem and the wire is suspect.
Yes, will remove the distributor.

 

[Peterooster]

1950 f-1 I had same intermittent problem, removed distributor and replaced wire.Under close exam old wire had no faults. But problem went away. Pete

 

[Merc Cruzer]

When I bought my car, someone had removed the whole connector and replaced it with just a wire from the points to the coil. It never created an issue, so I didn't get around to replacing it with the correct bolt, spacer and nut until recently. These car are pretty forgiving.

 

[dono50]

How did you manage to get the wire under the plate without actually removing the plate.
Pretty clever above the plate setup.

 

[dono50]

1950 f-1 I had same intermittent problem, removed distributor and replaced wire.Under close exam old wire had no faults. But problem went away. Pete

Pete,
Did you replace the wire without removing the plate ? Did you use a string or wire to pull it through ?

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Pete,
Did you replace the wire without removing the plate ? Did you use a string or wire to pull it through ?

The wire itself is pretty stiff. You can bend it in a half circle and thread it under the plate and around the shaft. Or you can just attache a string or small wire to the old one, when you are pulling it out and use that to pull the new one through. I did it on both of mine, once I found new wires.

On the distributor that had the single wire going over the top, I put it under the plate, while I was waiting to get the correct pieces. Take the screw out of the condenser and push it out of the way. You can turn the plate a littler, to move it, to get access to the wire, while you are threading it through.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Thought you might want to see the path you are taking under the plate. Also, you might want to see how much play, there is in the shaft. I wound up putting new bushing in both of my distributors. A local club member, had a Sun distributor machine, and when he put them on the machine you could see the bounce created by the loose shaft. I know it is a bit more work, but it truly pays of it's self. After replacing the bushings, the bounce was gone. The 2 bushing bushings, are not that expensive, and getting them out and installing new ones is really straight forward.

Bushings are $15 for a set:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2548238515...66&osub=-1~1&crd=20220710053808&segname=11050

 

[dono50]

Thanks for the photos and advise. My primary wire must be a replacement because the routing is different so not correct.
I bought NORS wires and should be fine. Thanks again

 

[dono50]

I’ll check the bushings when I remove the distributor. My wire made by Standard your NOS Ford same as original

 

[dono50]

Repaired my distributor and a spare. Runs great now. Your photos made it an easy task.
Had a 53 Merc Monterey 2 door hardtop back in the early 60’s sixties. My 50 Ford has a low mileage 49 Merc engine.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Repaired my distributor and a spare. Runs great now. Your photos made it an easy task.
Had a 53 Merc Monterey 2 door hardtop back in the early 60’s sixties. My 50 Ford has a low mileage 49 Merc engine.

I too, did mine and a spare (picture taken before I got the wire connector). Then had both checked on a Sun Distributor machine, and he corrected the springs. Runs better than it ever has before.

Glad I could help, enjoy the ride.

 

[dono50]

I know a rebuilder online and will check if he has a sun distributor machine.
Thanks again