It ran, then it didn't.

[Philip Lawrence]

Last year my buddy Steve and I were dealing with the estate of a fellow club member and friend. Jerry had past away leaving several model T's and literally tons of parts. Among the cars was a 1918 speedster Jerry built and hadn't driven in 40 years.

Steve and I pulled it out where we could work on it. After putting fresh gas and a new battery in it with a few chokes and a couple of pulls on the hand crank, darn if it didn't roar to life after sitting for four decades!

The old speedster sounded strong and healthy. We ran the engine a few times and every thing was fine, it was even driven a short distance with no problems. It ran great, until one day it didn't. It wouldn't so much as give us a pop let alone start.
This was really baffling. Finally the problem was discovered. The original Bosch clip on distributor an fallen apart! The old pot metal body had just had enough and decided it was time to fall completely apart.

Here are a couple photos, nothing is left to rebuild.
So the big question is does anybody have an old incomplete Bosch clip on distributor with a good body they would sell to get the old speedster back on the road? We could sure use some help with this.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Anything helpful here??

https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic. ... ch#p313994

[Moxie26]

You may want to consider going back to using the Ford ignition coils with the updated E-Timer. ...... Issue of pot metal parts disintegrating will no longer be in the picture.

[TRDxB2]

There are 3 styles of he American Bosch clip on distributor. The first two versions had a different centrifugal mechanism on the shaft & head. I would assume that these parts were interchangeable. The upper part (head) that you have is the later style of the two (on the right). The plate with the condenser & points appears to be the same as is the rotor & distributor cap (points & rotor are pricey to replace & the cap is almost extinct). Even though these had centrifugal advance they also had a lever arm connecting to he advance rod. The arm is often broken off buy easily substituted. I have some parts so email me and we can discuss that way

[TeveS-Nor Cal]

Maybe you should get a younger, more knowledgeable helper!

[Philip Lawrence]

I have contacted Karl as Jerry suggested and am waiting for a response. Thank you Jerry for the tip.

[Philip Lawrence]

Steve, my current helper is just fine, besides he works really cheap.

[Don]

Phil,

I have both the Bosch and American Bosch clip-on distributers. Are you going to Turlock on Saturday?

Don Azevedo