Super B+ Distributor

I have been running one for about 2 months and 2500 miles. I had been running a Mallory but parts are not available for them anymore. I like the advance curve on the Means distributor better especially for the higher compression engine. All parts are readily available for the Means distributor. I will be ordering another one today for another car. Great people to do business with . Highly recommend.
 
Thanks for the info. I am running with a 5.5 to 1 high compression head. Looks like I will also need to get the NuRex Timing indicator strip and timing light as well.
 
What are the details? I don’t do Facebook so access there is limited. What’s the advance curve? Rpm range of the advance? Total advance? Who supplies the distributor parts, points, condenser, rotor, cap? How can you adjust the advance rate/curve?

Why is this better than a stock distributor or needed over a stock distributor?

I wouldn’t buy it without these basic details.
 
It's just odd that their web page doesn't have all this info in one place. Facebook for part of it, PayPal, & then here to "sort-of" wrap it up. I was in MO this past summer and was going to look them up, but couldn't find their info while I was there. I was real interested, especially since all the replacemant parts could be had at my local NAPA or AutoZone.
 
Why is this a Super+ distributor? FS Ignitions has been making great centrifugal advance distributors for the Model A for years. You can get them with points or the Pertronix ignition module. They also make one that looks like a Model A distributor. You give them your engine configuration and they will tailor the spark advance curve for that engine.
 
Hitman said:
What are the details? I don’t do Facebook so access there is limited. What’s the advance curve? Rpm range of the advance? Total advance? Who supplies the distributor parts, points, condenser, rotor, cap? How can you adjust the advance rate/curve?

Why is this better than a stock distributor or needed over a stock distributor?

I wouldn’t buy it without these basic details.
Click to expand...


I agree with Hitman. I don’t do Facebook and I don’t do PayPal. Seems like he would have more success if he started a web page or put information on the Fordbarn Swap Meet section.

David Serrano
 
I called Means Garage and got some info:

  1. The "Super B+" is an off-the-shelf Delco distributor modified by the supplier to fit the A engine block and mimic the performance of a stock B distributor.
  2. The sales pitch is not that it does anything a stock B distributor wouldn't do, but rather that it is much easier to source and maintain than a 90-year-old original B distributor, and it's cheaper than FSI distributors.
  3. Price is $295+$25 shipping if you pay cash; PayPal pricing includes service fee.
  4. The points, cam, cap, rotor, and condenser are all Delco-spec and can be sourced from mainstream suppliers.
  5. The timing curve is designed to be identical to the B distributor – 14° total advance, starting at roughly 500 rpm and all-in by roughly 2500 rpm.
  6. Timing is set by positioning the distributor in the block at roughly the correct orientation and then, using a timing light to check actual advance, rotating the unit in the block until desired initial timing is achieved.
  7. You can't use stock plug connectors due to the Delco cap. You can use conventional plug wires, or Means Garage is selling packs of wires with decorative coloring.
  8. This is a one-wire distributor that does not take the Model A armored ignition cable. You can use an aftermarket ignition switch with a conventional wire, or Means Garage sells an adapter for $12 that converts the armored cable terminal to a standard terminal.
  9. Means Garage has done a couple of special-order units with 20° of advance but did not have pricing or availability at hand during the call.

I'll have more info in the future, they're going to send me a list of part numbers for the user-serviceable parts.
 
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Here are the installation instructions:

Tools Required
- 3/4" wrench
- 9/16" wrench
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Test light
- Timing light

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Installation Instructions

1. Install timing indicator. (NuRex recommended)
2. Find TDC with timing pin. Mark front pulley at TDC on your indicator.
3. Remove old distributor.
4. Install ignition cable adapter if needed.
5. Remove cap from new distributor — leave lower dust cover in place.
6. Install new distributor into head.
7. Turn rotor until it engages lower shaft and distributor drops fully into head.
8. Attach test light lead to power. With the probe end of the light touching the stud on the side of the distributor, turn the distributor clockwise. The light will come on and go out 4 times per revolution. Every time it goes out is a firing point. Choose a firing point where the stud is pointing to the rear or at the left side. Snug up slotted screw to hold the distributor from turning at your firing point.
9. Install the cap, making sure to align the notch. The terminal the rotor is pointing at is now #1.

The rotor turns counterclockwise.
The firing order is 1-2-4-3 going CCW.

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Continuing Installation

- Install spark plug wires using lengths as needed.
- Attach timing light.
- Car should start.
- Loosen slotted screw just enough to turn distributor by hand.
- Adjust timing to approximately 15° BTDC at idle and let engine warm up.
- Final adjustment:
- Set timing to 28° BTDC with engine running at 2000–2200 RPM.
- For 6.0 compression or higher, use 26° at idle.
- Expect ~14° BTDC at idle.
- Tighten slotted screw until distributor cannot be turned by hand.
- Don’t overtighten! Tighten lock nut.

You are done

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Cable Adapter Connector Installation

Used to adapt the original pop-out style ignition (big end) to a regular-sized ring wire terminal.

- Clean brass contact on end of cable.
- Clean threads on the outside of the cable connector.
- Thread adapter onto cable far enough to have power at the ring terminal with ignition switch on plug. Then give it one more turn.
 
Parts cross-reference:

Standard / Blue Streak
Points: DR2227P
Condenser: DR60
Rotor: DR158
Cap: DR405

Napa / Echlin
Points: CS763A or CS63A
Condenser: RR174
Rotor: RR83
Cap: RR145

Borg Warner
Points: A40H or A40V
Condenser: G102A
Rotor: D10
Cap: C150
 
Is that correct? - For 6.0 compression or higher, use 26° at idle? or should it read "26° BTDC with engine running at 2000–2200 RPM".

26° at idle seems a little to far advanced to me, you would be ~38° at 2200 RPM. Espessially when you are calling for 28° total with a lower compression head.
 
Y-Blockhead said:
Is that correct? - For 6.0 compression or higher, use 26° at idle? or should it read "26° BTDC with engine running at 2000–2200 RPM".

26° at idle seems a little advanced to me, you would be ~38° at 2200 RPM. Espessially when you are calling for 28° total with a lower compression.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's a misprint, sorry. It's written that way in the instructions they sent me but clearly your alternate version is the correct one.
 
the advance curve is very close to the Ford Model B distributor. it has 14 degrees of advance range from 700 to 2,000 RPM.
Timed at 30degrees BTDC at 2,000 RPM it falls back to 16 degrees BTDC for starting and idle. Quick starting and good acceleration.
 
Sorry, but I like the stock distributor with modern points and condensor. I can adjust the timing to suit conditions. Being able to adjust the timing, and air/fuel ratio, is one of the features of a Model A that makes it a Model A. I get so frustrated with modern cars when I cannot adjust things, like turning off the warning buzzer.

I would use the Ford points and condensor in my Model A if Ford was still making them. The original points and condensor that I had in my Model A in 1963 lasted for years and went with the car when I sold it 7 years later.
 
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