American Bosch Magneto Corp

[pgbaresel]

I am helping a friend who has the above distributor on his car. I am looking for any information pertaining to its operation, timing, and where I might find ignition parts for this unit. I feel that this is a 1920's era distributor. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[John E. Guitar]

Can you post photos of the setup?

[Rich Eagle]

There are several types of Bosch units and some good info on different ones on past posts like this one.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1284575054
If we can see or determine which one it is perhaps we can find more info.
Thanks for asking.
Rich

[TRDxB2]

I am helping a friend who has the above distributor on his car. I am looking for any information pertaining to its operation, timing, and where I might find ignition parts for this unit. I feel that this is a 1920's era distributor. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

There are at least 3 American Bosch distributors not counting the front plate style, so pictures are needed to see what you have. American Bosch and Robert Bosch/BOSCH (like VW) are totally different entities.
MTFCAMember Tom VanMeeteren is the source for vintage distributor parts (caps, rotors, condensers ) uncertain about other parts. Parts are expensive so don't plan on replacing everything (points, rotor, condenser & cap) like you may have done in the past
I and others have some internal parts if needed.
Here is a link to convert the Model 600 to electronic ignition https://mtfctulsa.com/Tech/distributors.htm

[Mark Gregush]

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/59 ... 1478565734

The above is one way to do it. Because there were a number of different Bosch clip on distributors, we need to know which one you have to help with setup. 

[pgbaresel]

Hello Everyone,
Thank you for your help. This posting:
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2010: Picture of Bosch distributor in about discussion shows the pot metal distributor. It looks like mine and I found the number 35 stamped on the lower casting. I will contact Special-Interest- autos about ignition parts. Has anyone tried the electronic ignition that you know of and how well it worked??

[TRDxB2]

Hello Everyone,
Thank you for your help. This posting:
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2010: Picture of Bosch distributor in about discussion shows the pot metal distributor. It looks like mine and I found the number 35 stamped on the lower casting. I will contact Special-Interest- autos about ignition parts. Has anyone tried the electronic ignition that you know of and how well it worked??

Here is link o someone how has https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/8 ... 1244844288

[TRDxB2]

Here are some differences of the two models I know of
The orange red one is the later style and is the correct color for the head, I do not know the model number for it.
The difference between them is the earlier model has a lockable pin on the head that rides into a small slot on the shaft base. This keeps the head on the shaft and allows for manual spark advance as well. The later style has a the bolt that clamps the head securely to the shaft base. You'll find many of this style broken at this juncture from over-tightening.

[pgbaresel]

I have the LL-41 rotor according to the parts breakdown of the American Bosch distributor. This is what I like about our group, the great help everyone gives to keep the hobby going. Thanks

[TRDxB2]

I have the LL-41 rotor according to the parts breakdown of the American Bosch distributor. This is what I like about our group, the great help everyone gives to keep the hobby going. Thanks

It appears to me that the distributor was retrofitted to use available parts. The rotor you have looks like the LL-41 but its not, the flex contact on the top isn't on the Bosch. There should be a number on the rotor you have. If the cap is the correct one and that rotor works then its nice to know as a potential replacement. I attached a picture of the American Bosch plate with points and condenser (kidney shaped).

compare bosch.png (385.79 KiB) Viewed 2898 times

[Tom VanMeeteren]

I have been watching this post and need to step in. Paul, the rotor you have is not the Bosch LL 41, but rather an Autolite IB 1048. That particular rotor was used on the 1926 to 1928 Essex ONLY. The LL41 rotor does not have the center spring contact like your rotor. While it may have the same mounting configuration, it will sit higher on the distributor shaft and potentially hit the contacts in the distributor cap. The correct rotor is Bosch #68400 as shown in the photo. I have a fair supply of the Bosch 68400 rotors and condenser units and a good supply of the point sets. However the distributor caps are getting very scarce and at this point they are slipping into the "unobtainium" category. I have two NOS ones left in my inventory. Some time ago, I proposed a project to reproduce these caps but only a few people responded. I need at least 20 commitments to start the project but only 5 said they were interested.

Can't get pictures to load(*&^%$#@!

[Tom VanMeeteren]

[image][/image]

[Tom VanMeeteren]

Still can't get pictures to load)(*&^%$#@#$%^&*()_

[kelly mt]

Is this the one?

[TRDxB2]

Is this the one?

TT Bosch Distributor 005.jpg

Is this the one?TT Bosch Distributor 005.jpg

That is the correct rotor, (my reference to LL-54 was incorrect see below) for use with the correct distributor cap, LL-55. See parts list above. But haven't seen enough of Paul's Friend's distributor cap to verify what it is. His distributor plate was modified and does not have the correct American Bosch points for the Model 600 . So as Tom noted the rotor was a Autolite IB 1048, so everything else may be a different

[Tom VanMeeteren]

TRDxB2, the rotor in the picture is the correct rotor with the T on the spark contact end. It is not however the LL54. The LL54 has a much larger mounting hole than the one with the T on the end, it will not work and will be very sloppy. In your post of Jan 13th you do show the correct point set and condenser. I wish I could get the pictures to load.

[Bryant]

I have been watching this post and need to step in. Paul, the rotor you have is not the Bosch LL 41, but rather an Autolite IB 1048. That particular rotor was used on the 1926 to 1928 Essex ONLY. The LL41 rotor does not have the center spring contact like your rotor. While it may have the same mounting configuration, it will sit higher on the distributor shaft and potentially hit the contacts in the distributor cap. The correct rotor is Bosch #68400 as shown in the photo. I have a fair supply of the Bosch 68400 rotors and condenser units and a good supply of the point sets. However the distributor caps are getting very scarce and at this point they are slipping into the "unobtainium" category. I have two NOS ones left in my inventory. Some time ago, I proposed a project to reproduce these caps but only a few people responded. I need at least 20 commitments to start the project but only 5 said they were interested.

Can't get pictures to load(*&^%$#@!

Tom do you know what 20 caps would cost? Some that are interested might commit to more than one with that information. I am still interested in the project.
Bryant

[TRDxB2]

TRDxB2, the rotor in the picture is the correct rotor with the T on the spark contact end. It is not however the LL54. The LL54 has a much larger mounting hole than the one with the T on the end, it will not work and will be very sloppy. In your post of Jan 13th you do show the correct point set and condenser. I wish I could get the pictures to load.

Opps, I wasn't looking at the point just the round disk. Is this then the correct pair. If not you can email the pictures an I'll load them for you (I purchased points from you before)

[TRDxB2]

I have been watching this post and need to step in. Paul, the rotor you have is not the Bosch LL 41, but rather an Autolite IB 1048. That particular rotor was used on the 1926 to 1928 Essex ONLY. The LL41 rotor does not have the center spring contact like your rotor. While it may have the same mounting configuration, it will sit higher on the distributor shaft and potentially hit the contacts in the distributor cap. The correct rotor is Bosch #68400 as shown in the photo. I have a fair supply of the Bosch 68400 rotors and condenser units and a good supply of the point sets. However the distributor caps are getting very scarce and at this point they are slipping into the "unobtainium" category. I have two NOS ones left in my inventory. Some time ago, I proposed a project to reproduce these caps but only a few people responded. I need at least 20 commitments to start the project but only 5 said they were interested.

Can't get pictures to load(*&^%$#@!

Tom do you know what 20 caps would cost? Some that are interested might commit to more than one with that information. I am still interested in the project.
Bryant

Good point, I would take 2 of them. The initiators of the order should get a discount

[pgbaresel]

Hello everyone,
Thank you for all of your help and information. This is why the forum is great. Paul