I have a 29 model a glass car,it has a partially recessed firewall with a sbc,I cannot remove the dist because it hits,without disconnecting the motor mounts and misc to lower it enough to remove it.What have you guys done
It's that old physics thing again. Two objects can't occupy the same space at the same time. I have one of those Accel 2 piecers stashed away somewhere myself. I haven't seen it for a long, long time. Doesn't the top part come off? Will it still not come out if you take it apart? My firewall is notched for the distributor. I still have to take the cap and rotor off for it to come out. You might have to make room.
No it almost clears. I am running the motor with a carb but after it is broken in I want to put Hilborn Mech injection,but that's another story.
When I have "missed the mark" on leaving enough clearance, I have turned to hiding the fix in plain sight. In your case, I would make a bolt-in polished stainless steel recess, with a nice set of counter sunk, evenly spaced fasteners. If you cannot fix a ooopsie, make it look intentional. I am still working on it, but the recess in my center console, for a hand to go around the parking brake handle, is a stainless steel serving tray, bolted to the underside.
Speedway sell a fiberglass notch for the firewall. Sent from my SM-T350 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I've often thought one of these would be pretty easily adapted as a bolt-on recess for distributor clearance, I also considered using something similar for a footwell/rest in the fiberglass floor for the gas pedal in my roadster. https://www.highway99hotrods.com/Blisters/orderb.htm
A Issue when going with a recessed firewall in a model A There will be a issue with your steering column it will fall at the edge of the firewall Ask me how I know gene in Mn
I think my buddy's old (old in as used to have 40 years ago) was that way with the wheelbarrow used for the indent in the firewall. It used to be fairly common but guys weren't pulling the distributors very often either. Years ago I saw photos of one that was a lot more race car than street car that they had made a trap door or removable door over the distributor so it could be lifted out.
Same thing here. Drain the radiator and pull the hoses free, pull the motor mounts and lower the front of the engine till the distributor clears.
I'm not sure where your having clearance problems without a picture. If it's the top, how about a Mallory distributor with a Marine cap. Mallory 221B Distributor Cap (Flat Marine)
You can always make a piece of aluminum notched with enough room to remove your distributor, then make a flange to fit over it then pop rivet or screw it in place. HRP
That was my mom. No matter what she had to change, redo or modify (not automotive), she would tell you, "That's how I planned it."
The picture does not help without the motor mocked up on the frame. It's a homemade firewall, why not just cut away?