wrench identification

I have been attempting to get my tool boxes in order and have discovered some tools I haven't seen in years. Most of my good ol' tools I inherited from my dad, who's father was a mechanic back in the first half of the 20th century.

I ran across this wrench and remember asking my dad what it was when I was about 8 or 10; I do not recall his answer.

The extension is about 18 inches long with a 5 inch handle and a 1.5 inch offset at the box end. It is a 12 point 1/2 inch box end.

What is this wrench's specialty?

I apologize for the blurred pictures. It is cold here.

Thanks

 

Distributor Wrench

 

yup. Lets see what other cool old tools ya got.

 

Looks like a wrench to loosen distributor hold down bolts to me. They're almost a must on a SBC and others. I have a newer one that's 1/2" on one end and 9/16" on the other.

Boy, you guys are FAST!!

 

GM distributor wrench !

Retro Jim

 

here are few more pictures of some tools I had to move to organize. I was running a Bridgeport mill when I was 12 so the collettes were not a surprise. Someone requested more old tool photos. The O.D. calipers must have at least 50 years on them.

Thanks for your interest. I have some third generation tools that will make you wet your pants!

 

I am not going to claim to be no whizbang on an SBC, but you know I never even thought to use that wrench. I do not know may be 10 distributors later, maybe I get it.

Thanks

 

yep...dis wrench...

 

I remember the first time I saw a distributor wrench. I was an apprentice at Mayfield's Garage, ("the Best damn garage in town"...ask anybody...)

Red Mayfield suggested I use the proper wrench on the relatively new 272 Ford Y block distributor: he handed me one like this...it was a 'Proto', and it worked like a charm.
That was in 1957.
He had them in different sizes and shapes...

 

Inside & outside calipers! Haven't seen that many together in one place in ages.....

 

Probably for an overhead valve Chevy V-8 engine.

 

Oh Heck... i just grabbed a few for a photo. I have two drawers full.

 

oh yeah, I consider myself young but I do recall my dad getting mad for me using a ring sleeve to remove an oil filter. If I find the particular one I will post a photo.

 

Again, I have removed many distributors and this thing never crossed my mind. = dumbass

did anyone notice the indicator box says "Sears, Roebuck" not "Sears and Roebuck"?

 

The first one. They had similar ones in the army tool boxes when I enlisted in 94 and asked "whats this for?" cranky old e-7 lit up a smoke and said jeep distributor you would f@%%/% =//%/===/*=%@(-%*&/ know about that. G*% d@&(= diesel piece s+&/ /%-**%((&*+(.

Sent from my X10a using Tapatalk

 

GM uses a 3/8 bolt with a 9/16 head on all of the older rigs. That is a Ford Distributor and possibly Mopar.

 

I am going to have to go with MOPAR. My dad sold his last Ford in 59. But wait. I guess he could have kept the wrench.

 

Ditto! I have 2 of those...

 

Your last picture shows a 1.00" travel indicator and what looks like a bunch of "crush" collets for the Ericson tool holders...

 

Here's one of my indicators with a black face dial....

 

The one I bought 40 years ago is a 2 piece unit. 9/16 on one end and 1/2" on the other. The 2 are connected with a splined connector so that the end being used as the handle can be adjusted to clear obstructions. One of those tools that you use rarely but it makes life so much easier when you have it.

 

I made it to another drawer and need some of you old timers' opinions. This is a picture of miscellaneous "big" wrenches" 1" and up.

When my dad died 22 years ago (at 53), I got all of the tools but organized a small rollaway for my mom and a small chest for my brother. Between the 3 of us we have complete sets of "Fleet" and J.H. Williams. Also in the picture is MFD, Williams and I believe it say "Plomb", maybe "Plumb".

What do you know about the history of J.H. Willams? Old?

Thanks
Rodney

 

I have some Williams tools, mostly lathe tools and some mill tie-downs. If its the same outfit they were around since the 1800s. No idea on the age of your wrenches would guess not that 100 years old.

I've seen many an old machinist tool box with a drawer full of inside and outside calipers. Have to believe guys running production would set several of them for any given job. How many 6 inch scales were in the box to start with? my guess would be at least 3.

Those distributor wrenches also come in handy on carburetor base bolts, I have several in different sizes both standard and metric.

 

thanks i am still sorting and was on a machine for at least 5 years. the machinist's tools i get. it is some of these crazy wrenches that i have not found a use for.

 

The MFD goes with U.S.A. As in, made in America.

 

I've got an old tool

 

The tool in the first pic was first designed as a cyl hold down wrench for acft engs. When you change a cyl(jug) on a eng thats what you use. was using them in early 50s.

 

J. H. Williams is (or was) a highly respected tool company. In the 70's I worked in the maintainance shop at J. H. Williams Columbus,GA plant. Though they made and sold tools under the J.H. Williams brand name most were made under contract and sold as Craftsman, Snap On, or under many other brand names.

 

Mine still works!