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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Crab Distributor

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Discussion Topic: Crab Distributor

Danny/Texas

11-25-2009 @ 7:44 AM

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I hear someone out there makes a conversion kit to go from the original style on 59AB to the crab distributor. Anyone know who that might be. Fighting the wires in this old style is getting the best of me.

Thanks

42ford

11-25-2009 @ 1:59 PM

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The crab dist is older than the 59AB. The dist is the same. You can buy the two latches and replace the two wire bails and use the crab distributor cap.
Is that what you wanted to know?

wmsteed

11-29-2009 @ 10:58 AM

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Just a little bit more info.
The "crab" style distr. cap only came on the '42 model cars. Why it only lasted for one model year is a big mystery.
Some people think that the cap was very prone to letting water into the distr...not so. If the rubber boots on the wires are tight and the cap has a good gasket, they are not anymore prone to water entering the system than any other cap.
The coil for the crab style cap is mounted up on the intake manifold just like the '46-48's
As already stated, you just need the '42 style spring clips on the '46-48 distr.
The Harmon-Collins dual point/coil ignitions all used the '42 cap... I have had one of these ignitions on my '36 Ford for over 55 years, having driven it in snow blizzards and driving rain storms, I never had the car stall because of a wet ignition.

Bill
36 5 win delx cpe

Stroker

11-29-2009 @ 1:36 PM

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I agree with Bill, as I've used a "crab" on various
high performance motors through the years. One
advantage was that you could keep the plug wires well
separated with the use of fiber or rubber spacers. We
felt that this was desirable to reduce inductive losses
and potential cross-firing under high compression
applications. Harmon & Collins also used the crab on
their racing magnetos. Currently, MSD offers a "Pro-
Billet" front mount performance distributor that uses a
"crab-style" cap, albeit with a different attachment
method (screws vs clips) and male terminals. So...I
always thought the "crab" was one of Ford's Better
Ideas.

ford38v8

11-29-2009 @ 1:50 PM

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OK... I got a good one for you!

As I was reading the latest posting on this thread, my wife leans over my
shoulder to see what I was reading, and asks: "Someone is your club is a
crab Distributor? See if you can get some and I'll go get a fresh loaf of
sour french bread!"

Alan

Stroker

11-29-2009 @ 2:46 PM

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That's good Alan! Guess we just assume......! At
least she didn't think we were "distributing" the kind
of crabs
we were warned about in the service.

Get out that old, green ointment
Give those crabs a disappointment
Keep it on for a year and a day
Though it burns, and it itches
It will kill those son's-a-*******
In the good old fashion way!

Now, if this doesn't get me kicked off the forum,
I humbly apologize to those who have had the misfortune
of acquiring same.

fortyfordguy

11-29-2009 @ 4:32 PM

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To convert the 1946-48 distributor to the 42-44 crab style, you only need a couple pieces. The clip kit (replaces the single bail), the 21A rotor, and the 21A crab cap. There is a subtle difference in the spark plug wires, but if you aren't worried about originality on the setup, you could use the existing wires (if they are in good condition). We stock all the parts mentioned.

The aftermarket offers the electronic version of the 42-44 crab distr, but guys often run into clearance problems using that setup (particular with one brand as the dizzy assy extends pretty far forward compared to the original). The stock crab distr was actually a Mallory design and not a bad one at that.

wmsteed

11-30-2009 @ 10:36 AM

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Well since it's humor you want, how about....
"No need to stand on our toilet seat, our crabs can jump fourteen feet"

Bill
36 5 win delx cpe

Danny/Texas

12-01-2009 @ 2:58 PM

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so how do I contact you for the parts needed?

Danny

Stroker

12-01-2009 @ 3:55 PM

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Danny:

I would think than any of the good people who advertise
coil rebuilding in the V8 times would be able to supply
the clips, rotor, gasket. Keep in mind though, that
unless you have a 42, it will not be the correct
distributor. Might be just the ticket for a Street
Rod, but doesn't do justice to any other year Ford than
a 42. Going back to the original issue, "sorting-out"
all those wires isn't really a big deal, as I'm sure
most 46-48 owners will attest to. 32-41 owners have the
same issues times two. As I've stated earlier, my
favorite distributer (after my converted DuCoil Zephyr)
is the crab, but on my 38, I have the correct year,
correct looms, etc., because I think it just "looks
right". There is a certain elegance to doing it the
way it was intended.

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