Harmon & Collins dual point distributor

[48bill]

A friend is having problems installing a Harmon & Collins dual point distributor on his early (1940) ford flathead. This is the "crab style" distributor cap.

He has received different/conflicting info on firing order, wiring of the coils and types of condensors. Does anyone have any info that could assist him.

Thanks.

Bill

[tommy]

Here's a copy of the original instructions.
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http://fototime.com/{B7898FD1-4A84-4E7C-98B8-73C2B70E14F2}/picture.JPG http://fototime.com/{F0C1659B-1E19-4DF5-8D52-D2655EE3690F}/picture.JPG
I can't read the fireing order from this photo. If noone else gives the fireing order, rattle my chain and I'll post it tonight.

[48bill]

Tommy,

Thank you very much. I am sure this will be helpful to my friend. I was able to read the firing order. It is (clockwise from the top right of the photo)7-5-6-2-4-3-1-8.

Again THANK YOU.

[Bruce Lancaster]

There was lots of discussion of these things on Fordbarn and the MSN Flathead group. Another piece of info needed before you hit the starter--most non-original '42 caps won't clear the rotor on these. You need a real Ford cap or a carefully checked aftermarket one.

[48bill]

With Tommy and Bruce's info we are making progress on this. It is now getting spark and is trying to run but seems to be cross firing.

Any Suggestions??

[Flat Ernie]

What kind of crab cap are you using? If you're using the black plastic one, ditch it & find a brown/red one.

Those repro black caps are garbage.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Bruce Lancaster]

Cross firing: You have lots of electrical stuff in a very small package here--use a small plug gap to reduce the electricity's temptation to go new ways, and be sure all terminals are good and snug. I'd use only solid core wire.
Eyeball the rotor parts and spacer parts, all the H&C plastic, very closely with a magnifier for cracks. Uncracked plastic is really unusual on these things...
If no obvious faults, give all plastic a very thorough wash&rinse and finish with no-residue brake cleaner to be sure electricity isn't following a track of surface crud. Doublecheck firing order, first by diagram, then by actually looking at what points where and when if you still have trouble. Examine rotor phasing vv rotor tips to contacts, rotor gap, and make sure advance mech is free and is retarding properly.