Got this distributor from a buddy of mine and am trying to do an ID on it. It appears to be engraved with "G S", so I'm assuming Grant Spalding (although the G looks like a C). Early? Later? It's a 2 bolt as well. Thanks guys! Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I don't recognize the two weird hooks cast in the sides, but the rest looks just like a regular old '42-'48 distributor. The CS looks cast in, not stamped later.
Post this over on the Ford Barn but leave out the "Grant-Spalding" reference. Merely refer to the two wierd hooks.
It's just a slightly odd casting...distributor is otherwise normal '42-WWII distributor. I've never seen those projections either, but I have seen a lot of variations in those castings. Points, etc. appear to be stock Ford.
Those lugs on the sides look like they could have clamps hooked on to them. It's probably a Ford HP optioned distributor with mounts for rev limiter straps that hook down to the frame. Very rare.
CS is cast in so it's original. I can't think of a match to that in known distributor suppliers that supplemented Ford over the early years, like Standard, Autolite, Mallory...it may well mark a foundry source for the aluminum casting or even one of the small Ford satellite plants. The distributors I have tend to have cast in letters on the back, presumably supply chain marks of some sort, and stamped letters on the rear of the flange which could mark rebuilders or maybe just inspectors. Not meaningful, though, just a mark on an original Ford casting.
OK, so I think the end state is that this is just a regular 'ol stock distributor. Thanks a lot guys for clearing all that up!
It is a regular stock Ford distributor with weird appurtenances...that are yet to be accounted for! It's not a speed equipment part, though.
Here's another; second illustration on this page: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_engines_distr-timing.htm But still...why?
Another stock two bolt crab, i have a few of these in my core collection. Beats me as to why the tabs were made that way????
One thought...it might have been an early way to locate and hold the thing as it was machined. This stuff had to be carefully located so normal Ford timing procedures would work. Not like a rotatable distributor with both body and shaft movable.
It may a military modification for waterproof ignition shielding for trucks and other military Ford V8 powered stuff.
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