Flathead distributor advice

Looking for some advice, as I'm new to the flathead world.

Last year I bought an original '35 Ford 5W coupe with uknown history other than it has not been on the road since '64. I bought the car expecting it not to run at all, but recently decided that I'm not going to give up on the flathead without a fight. The motor turns over, and the valve train is working. I did a quick rebuild on the carb, and now I need to pay attention to the distributor. Definately looks like it needs a rebuilld.

My question(s) is, should I just rebuild the '35 distributor, or install a '37-'41 distributor? Maybe some kind of electronic conversion?

Plans for the motor are to just run as-is if I can get away with it. Not interested in performance with a '35 motor, just would like to use it if I can. I will freshen it up as needed, of course, but for now I just would like to try to get the engine running and go from there.

Thanks for any help and advice you could offer.

 

glad to see your working on it!

 

If it were me, I'd try and use the original dist. Perhaps you can get one of those conversions that remove the coil from the top of the dis. Then you can run a conventional coil. Speedway or Hot Rod & Custome Supply probably have the conversion. Points can be purchased at Joblot I would think.
Tim
MBL

 

Take it apart and make sure advance works--pivot tends to gum up when sitting. Get it all moving, lightly oil and grease.
Polish or change points. Be real su****ious...there are some utter **** import points available fron resto places.
Clean plastic parts. Set gaps. I've got dwell/synchro specs...you can easily make a simple prtrator deal to check this. If proper dwell on each/both together points is incompatible with proper gap...you got the bad repro points. That's why you might want to keep oldies and polish if springs are good.
Sybchronization cycle printed ready to xerox is in the readily available in the "'32-36 Service manual" readily available everywhere...it is a reprint of an old NAPA Echlin manual, and allows you to easily duplicate the old Echlin synch tool.

 

If in Easterly PA, bringit here...KRW and NAPA timing and synchro tools. This would be a good tech if photographed...

 

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb...~S27S0EMAT320512824714a~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000013x

This is the converstion part I was talking about. Oh and listen to Bruce.
Tim
MBL

 

I have parts for 35 distributors. Lots of them.
Let me know what you need. You can have whatever I got.
I'm serious here.
I am glad to see that you're sticking with a flatty.
Your going to love em!

 

Coils--original and most NOS one are likely to have age problems...don't drive too far til you know it is functional once thoroughly hot. If bad, either get conversion plate for modern coil or get original rebuilt. Repro import coils out there are very dubious...

 

I decided to start working on this car rather than the '52. I have'nt done much with the Chevy. Didn't even drive it this year. Had lots of other stuff to do. I was going to start another bike build, but I don't need another bike right now. Would rather have a driveable car!

 

sell me the 35...it'll get it off your mind and you can focus on brand X

 

I'm in the Hershey area, but I am going to be coming to Jersey sometime within the next couple weeks to visit friends in Ocean. Maybe be able to bring it by. Will be over a weekend, if that would be O.K.?

 

Don't want to tease you, but I thought about it once or twice. Thought about a possible trade for a roadster.
Think I'm gonna hang on to it for now.