MTFCA Forum

Hello.

I recently bought a 1927 Tudor and I am now trying to figure some things out.

One of them is the distributor. I have searched 'the whole internet' by now, but I can't find any information on this: Somebody ever seen this one before or has some information on it? It seems to turn correctly counterclockwise.
I live in Germany and the car was most likely built in the denmark factory in Copenhagen.

Greeting from Germany,
Jens

Well, I'll be honest, I don't know much about using "dizzy's" on the Model T altho I've seen one in person, and many on the forum.
Without knowing any history of your car, all I'd say is it looks like a mess to me and I'd get rid of it and go back to the stock, reliable Ford ignition. Of course if it doesn't have a mag,or one that works, which may be why there's a dizzy, then that's a whole new can of worms. Then a better alternative would be Mike Kosser's electronic ignition choices. Just my useless 2 cents!!

If the distributor is original equipment, I'd keep it.

Obviously isn't original as Ford only used low tension AC flywheel magneto, timer, and 4 high tension trembler coils for ignition. A distributor has to have DC power source.


If you can trust AI, then with the numbers on that Bosch nameplate, the unit is old cast iron one.


AI Overview
For a replacement of the Bosch distributor version 4br315, you likely need a VJR4 BR15 model or a related single-vacuum-advance distributor for classic Volkswagen applications. A direct, new replacement is difficult to find because the original 4br315 is a vintage cast-iron unit, but restored versions and modern reproduction kits are available.

I suspect it’s from a Peugeot or similar make adapted to be used on a Model T.

ThreePedalTapDancer wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 26, 2025 11:09 am

I suspect it’s from a Peugeot or similar make adapted to be used on a Model T.

Peugeot is french - I doubt they used a german Bosch distributor. It may be assembled in Copenhagen, but not with that distributor. It must be some german kit made back in the day.

All Fords assembled in Copenhagen was made the same as in US except in 1925, where at least some Tourings was based on frames from Manchester (lowered 3 inches).

Perhaps another style of dizzy from Bosch would work for you. Hopefully you can pull this one out and slip another one in.

[/quote]
Peugeot is french - I doubt they used a german Bosch distributor. It may be assembled in Copenhagen, but not with that distributor. It must be some german kit made back in the day.[/quote]

Yes they did. All the way back to American Bosch products. That is post-T era Bosch distributor adapted to a T. The cast steel base plate of the distributor shows the mounting slots that Peugeot used as well as similar cars. I’d like to see the bottom side of the distributor to see the coupling to maybe identify it. I agree it was a kit sourced with parts available in Europe. Probably a 1940s- 50s kit.

Look around the body of the distributor more. There should be a 10 digit or so number stamped into the housing. That should give you the information you are looking gor.

The tag you are showing just gives the basic information but not the exact application.

On further examination, I can see the Bosch distributor internals, as well as the points, are the exact same as used in a Porsche 356 that dates 1955-1963, as well as early VW. This confirms my belief that it’s was later conversion, or at least the distributor dates from that era. Next is to identify the exact application of that particular distributor design, as well as how it mates to the drive unit and how it attaches to the T engine.

Thanks for your information so far. I am going to look for further numbers on the dizzy.
What I think is interesting ist the last digit of the typenumber (quite hard to see on the photo): it's VEK4BR315T
The "T" seems to be somehow added. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but maybe it was a special version for the T.

And just for clarification - this thing works. I am right now restoring the whole cabling of the car because I am forced to change some things for road legality here in Germany anyways. It was a danish car until I bought it.
If that is done I am going to get the engine back to proper running.

Ok, I think I’ve found the source of the distributor. It is military, probably from a WW2 German truck or similar. A Phänomen (Eng. Phenomenon) Granit 1500, a light truck from Gustav Hiller AG and thus the later VEB Kraftfahrzeugwerk Phänomen Zittau. I found pictures of the same type of distributor used on the truck. I don’t know if they continued with same design after the war? Serial number not exact, but starts with VE, so it’s in the same class of engines.

This one really looks similar.
Found no more numbers on it, but here are two more photos of how it is mounted: As long as it works - why should I swap. It seems to be adjustable (turnable) when loosening the two Philips-screws below.
Of course - coil boxes would be far more historic. But getting a working set here to Germany and reinstalling a classical or digital timer is just another bunch of $$$ (or better €€€ ).

Hi Jens,
If I understand your interest is in getting parts to maintain this distributor? I have a old Standard Ignition book & it shows that set of points as
GB-3161 & they fit 1237013000, 001, 060 Bosch Saab 7819733, Volvo 75846, 240149, 870421 Distributors In 63-69 Alfa Romeo, 59-67 Porsche,
56-67 Saab, 62-68 Volvo. Farm, Industrial & Marine applications. For the rotor try GB-302 for the rotor Bosch 1234332072, VW 111905225B, C
Volvo 233678. 59-67 Mercedes-Benz, 59-65 Porsche. Volvo Penta Marine. The cap looks like a GB-422 VW (211905207, 267) VW 60-66.
Hope this helps.
Craig.

There ya go. With all those applications their out there.