Distributor??

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
Modeltmike
Posts: 164
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 5:12 am
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Sleep
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: I have 26 & 24 coupe, 25 pickup, and 26 Fordson.
Location: Kansas
MTFCA Number: 31639
MTFCI Number: 31639

Distributor??

Post by Modeltmike » Sun Feb 23, 2020 6:42 pm

Just brought home another one. Same story. Someone passed and need to clean out garage, but this one has a distributor. Haven’t tried to do anything with it. What Model is this thing? Are there parts available? Thanks Mike
Attachments
0175F485-529E-49ED-AD17-639A703A1E67.jpeg
0175F485-529E-49ED-AD17-639A703A1E67.jpeg (22.3 KiB) Viewed 5825 times
4C7FE122-2F04-4D3A-A28F-F0710DCC44D3.jpeg
1378C823-46F6-41AF-8A0C-4015CA66A2C9.jpeg
513DCA2D-76D6-4DE6-9F38-EB18EC9E4856.jpeg


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 3637
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:13 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Sheldon
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
Location: Grass Valley California, USA
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Distributor??

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Sun Feb 23, 2020 6:59 pm

It is an American Bosch, hence the "AB". The race driver face wearing goggles was their logo for a few decades. I don't know what model, there were a bunch of them. Some had automatic advance, many did not. Most clamped in front of the standard timing gear cover. The best ones came built into a special timing gear cover. I cannot tell from your picture what you have.
They made and sold a lot of them (wouldn't surprise me if they made a million of them?). Used parts are somewhat available, however most surviving units are pretty well worn out. One of the reasons so many used parts are available. NOS replacement parts can often be gotten from people that have collected them for years. A few parts, including the drive gear, are made new still (I think still?).
Very good units if in good condition.
Of course, some of us still prefer a proper T timer and four coil setup.


tdump
Posts: 1275
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Mack
Last Name: Cole
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: TT. T express pickup,speedster project.
Location: North Carolina
MTFCA Number: 28146

Re: Distributor??

Post by tdump » Sun Feb 23, 2020 7:24 pm

I have a spark plug with that guy on it! :D Can you show how the Distributar is fitted to the block?
Last edited by tdump on Sun Feb 23, 2020 7:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If you can't help em, don't hinder em'

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4956
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Distributor??

Post by Mark Gregush » Sun Feb 23, 2020 7:27 pm

Spark plugs are screwed into the spark plug hole! :lol:

Darn now this don't make no sense :D But I am going to leave it just to mess with people.
Last edited by Mark Gregush on Sun Feb 23, 2020 8:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

User avatar

Pep C Strebeck
Posts: 519
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:12 am
First Name: Joseph
Last Name: M
Location: MI
MTFCA Number: 0

Re: Distributor??

Post by Pep C Strebeck » Sun Feb 23, 2020 7:30 pm

Not that it matters to the distributor, but his name is Fritz the Flyer.
"Remember son, there are two ways to do this: The right way, and your way” Thanks Dad, I love you too.

LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.


tdump
Posts: 1275
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Mack
Last Name: Cole
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: TT. T express pickup,speedster project.
Location: North Carolina
MTFCA Number: 28146

Re: Distributor??

Post by tdump » Sun Feb 23, 2020 7:42 pm

Thanks Mark,I need to poof read more often. :lol:
If you can't help em, don't hinder em'


Bill Crosby
Posts: 184
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:33 pm
First Name: Bill
Last Name: Crosby
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 Touring, 1920 Coupe, 1926 RPU, 1927 RPU, 25 speedster project
Location: Webster, NY
Board Member Since: 2016

Re: Distributor??

Post by Bill Crosby » Sun Feb 23, 2020 7:44 pm

From what I can see from the pictures It looks like a Model 600.

User avatar

Duey_C
Posts: 1518
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:28 pm
First Name: Duane
Last Name: Cooley
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 18 Runabout, 24 Runabout for 20yrs, 25 TT, late Center Door project, open express pickup
Location: central MN
MTFCA Number: 32488
Board Member Since: 2015

Re: Distributor??

Post by Duey_C » Sun Feb 23, 2020 7:46 pm

Pep's quite correct! Fritz the flyer!
Not associated with these guys but lots of Bosch info on the site. Didn't spy any distributers tho... https://oldcroak.com/american-bosch-1/
Lotsa good stuff.
Neat distributer Mike!
Since I lost my mind mind, I feel more liberated


Topic author
Modeltmike
Posts: 164
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 5:12 am
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Sleep
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: I have 26 & 24 coupe, 25 pickup, and 26 Fordson.
Location: Kansas
MTFCA Number: 31639
MTFCI Number: 31639

Re: Distributor??

Post by Modeltmike » Sun Feb 23, 2020 8:24 pm

Some prior owner removed the mag pickup and replaced with an oil line. I would prefer coils, but likley need to stick with this for now. I’ll will see if I can get spark, if not I may need to find parts. It is All part of the T learning experience. Much like the experience of telling the wife I have brought yet another one home. :D

User avatar

Roffe
Posts: 48
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 2:04 am
First Name: Rolf
Last Name: Oehman
Location: Norway

Re: Distributor??

Post by Roffe » Mon Feb 24, 2020 10:50 am

I got the front plate version in my T. I did replace the shaft. Think I bought it from Snyders. Different shafts for the front plate and the clip on types. It´s been in the car for many years, and I'm very pleased with it. Works incredibly well. Haven't come to fix my weak magnets yet so I stick to the distributor for now. Anyway it a period correct accessory. :)
Attachments
IMG_2380.jpeg
IMG_2374.jpeg

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Distributor??

Post by TRDxB2 » Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:45 am

It is an American Bosch 600 distributor. At the onset of WWI the US Government took over Bosch operations in the US- which then became American Bosch. Since then it has no relationship, or parts, to the current Robert Bosch products. This is a popular model has centrifugal advance. If the kidney shaped condenser inside the housing is no longer functional a compatible condenser is often used and mounted externally. These instructions explain how it can be hooked up to buzz coils or conventional single coil. Need to add a second post for last page +
Attachments
Page 1.jpg
Page 2.jpg
Page 3.jpg
Page 4.jpg
Page 5.jpg
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Distributor??

Post by TRDxB2 » Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:49 am

More American Bosch 600 Orange color was what the original head was painted That photo is for a different Model AB
Attachments
Page 6.jpg
s-l1600 z.jpg
images.jpg
images.jpg (17.35 KiB) Viewed 5596 times
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

Roffe
Posts: 48
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 2:04 am
First Name: Rolf
Last Name: Oehman
Location: Norway

Re: Distributor??

Post by Roffe » Mon Feb 24, 2020 12:20 pm

I´ll just pass on a good advice someone gave me. Make sure your distributor has a good ground. Attach a cable from the distributor body to somewhere on the engine block.

User avatar

kelly mt
Posts: 249
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:55 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: Kelly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 23 Speedster, 25 TT, 26 Roadster, 27 Tudor
Location: Noxon MT

Re: Distributor??

Post by kelly mt » Mon Feb 24, 2020 3:41 pm

Works good. You can sometimes find parts on Ebay. The ground wire is good advice.Got one on my TT.
TT Bosch Distributor 003.jpg


Topic author
Modeltmike
Posts: 164
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 5:12 am
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Sleep
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: I have 26 & 24 coupe, 25 pickup, and 26 Fordson.
Location: Kansas
MTFCA Number: 31639
MTFCI Number: 31639

Re: Distributor??

Post by Modeltmike » Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:50 pm

I am not able to get enough gap with adjustment. I’m sure the wiper is worn. My plan is to file enough to get enough gap. What is the proper gap 15-18? My goal is to use this to start the car to see how well it runs and check mag output as I would like to go back to coils.

Thanks

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Distributor??

Post by TRDxB2 » Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:27 pm

Don't file the wiper. If you can't make a gap then the wiper is worn down or you don't have the cam and wiper in the highest position. And don't forget to put the clip back on.
Attachments
point gap 2.jpg
point gap 2.jpg (22.47 KiB) Viewed 5344 times
point clip.jpeg
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

Duey_C
Posts: 1518
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:28 pm
First Name: Duane
Last Name: Cooley
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 18 Runabout, 24 Runabout for 20yrs, 25 TT, late Center Door project, open express pickup
Location: central MN
MTFCA Number: 32488
Board Member Since: 2015

Re: Distributor??

Post by Duey_C » Sat Feb 29, 2020 5:21 pm

This is for T type A B distributors:
4 & 6 cylinder distributor .020".
8 cylinder .014-.016".
I say do it. File the points to get some gap. :)
Since I lost my mind mind, I feel more liberated


Topic author
Modeltmike
Posts: 164
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 5:12 am
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Sleep
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: I have 26 & 24 coupe, 25 pickup, and 26 Fordson.
Location: Kansas
MTFCA Number: 31639
MTFCI Number: 31639

Re: Distributor??

Post by Modeltmike » Sat Feb 29, 2020 5:55 pm

I did file a little and got enough gap. Started and ran! The head of the distributor has some wear. It could be moved and the gap would widen. I checked mag output. I will likely remove the Bosch and go back to coils. Thanks for the advise!

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic