1963 ford tractor gas distributor cap

[markfredi]

I just installed a tune-up kit on my 1963 ford 4000 tractor. just a question. does it matter which of the two options to install the distributor cap--since it is 4 cylinder- it looks like you have two options on positioning the cap. the tractor was running when i parked it--like two years ago. Now i am trying to revive it. i had to put a new ignition switch, regulator, and now tune up kit. the distributor cap seems like it could be positioned in two ways. there is a "line" maybe the line is a 1 on it. appreciate any advise. thanks mark

 

[Jim.ME]

There should be a notch or tab on the rim of the distributor where the dust cover sets that locates the dust cover. Then there is a notch or tab in the rim area of the dust cover to locate the cap. If the distributor does not use a dust cap the notch/tab alignment applies directly to the cap. It won't set down correctly if the notches and tabs are not aligned.

Some caps do have a #1 on them to indicate where number one plug wire would be if the distributor is in the original factory installation location. That is different than aligning the notches and tabs for the cap to distributor body.

 

[Keith Williams]

I just installed a tune-up kit on my 1963 ford 4000 tractor. just a question. does it matter which of the two options to install the distributor cap--since it is 4 cylinder- it looks like you have two options on positioning the cap. the tractor was running when i parked it--like two years ago. Now i am trying to revive it. i had to put a new ignition switch, regulator, and now tune up kit. the distributor cap seems like it could be positioned in two ways. there is a "line" maybe the line is a 1 on it. appreciate any advise. thanks mark

Yes!
As Jim said there are notches for the dust cap. My dust cap has an arrow that points to the oilier.
There is a clip that goes on the shaft then the rotor.
The cap then only goes on one way.
The notches hold it all in place.
HTH

 

[old]

I just installed a tune-up kit on my 1963 ford 4000 tractor. just a question. does it matter which of the two options to install the distributor cap--since it is 4 cylinder- it looks like you have two options on positioning the cap. the tractor was running when i parked it--like two years ago. Now i am trying to revive it. i had to put a new ignition switch, regulator, and now tune up kit. the distributor cap seems like it could be positioned in two ways. there is a "line" maybe the line is a 1 on it. appreciate any advise. thanks mark

A distributor cap should only fit one way and as the other have said it cannot be put on incorrectly unless it is a cheap poorly made cap. The notch is there so as to keep things in time and firing at the correct time

 

[markfredi]

thanks guys for your help. mine has the dust cover and it says arrow points to the oiler. I will recheck it later. i appreciate your help. Keith--you said, "There is a clip that goes on the shaft then the rotor. " is this clip required?--i may have discarded it cause i didn't know where it was suppose to go. GO KC!

 

[old]

thanks guys for your help. mine has the dust cover and it says arrow points to the oiler. I will recheck it later. i appreciate your help. Keith--you said, "There is a clip that goes on the shaft then the rotor. " is this clip required?--i may have discarded it cause i didn't know where it was suppose to go. GO KC!

Yes the clip has to be on the distributor shaft under the rotor or the rotor will flop around all over the place and cause the timing to be off and also the engine is not likely to start but if it does it will not run correctly

 

[wore out]

Yes the clip has to be on the distributor shaft under the rotor or the rotor will flop around all over the place and cause the timing to be off and also the engine is not likely to start but if it does it will not run correctly

As you have been told before, a "loose" rotor doesn't affect timing, but MAY cause misfiring.

If the clip is missing, a simple "temporary" fix is to use a small dab of silicon gasket maker to secure the rotor the shaft, yet allow easy removal when needed.

Install the rotor and center it in it's arc of rotation on the shaft and allow the sealant to set up before putting the cap on and starting the engine.

 

[old]

As you have been told before, a "loose" rotor doesn't affect timing, but MAY cause misfiring.

If the clip is missing, a simple "temporary" fix is to use a small dab of silicon gasket maker to secure the rotor the shaft, yet allow easy removal when needed.

Install the rotor and center it in it's arc of rotation on the shaft and allow the sealant to set up before putting the cap on and starting the engine.

The rotor flipping around as it does with out the clip has to effect timing since it doesn't sit exactly in the correct place

 

[wore out]

The rotor flipping around as it does with out the clip has to effect timing since it doesn't sit exactly in the correct place

Timing is determined by the breaker points.

 

[old]

Timing is determined by the breaker points.

Ah but if the rotor is not hitting the nibbles 100% correctly the timing has ot be off a few degrees

 

[Janicholson]

Ah but if the rotor is not hitting the nibbles 100% correctly the timing has ot be off a few degrees

I agree! If the rotor is indexed by the clip, it could rotate easily and be pointing in any direction. Even if there is an index flat/notch on the rotor, it coule go far enough into the cap to bash terminals. compressing the carbon contact. Jim

 

[used red MN]

Ah but if the rotor is not hitting the nibbles 100% correctly the timing has ot be off a few degrees

au contraire,​

Wore out is correct. The rotor may be off far enough to cause a cylinder to misfire or even not fire, but the timing is set by the point in rotation that the breaker points open.

 

[markfredi]

thanks guys--i appreciate your thoughts and advise. I will try to find the clip or use some silicon for temp fix

 

[old]

thanks guys--i appreciate your thoughts and advise. I will try to find the clip or use some silicon for temp fix

Fold up a piece of a business card and that works well BTDT. Sometimes you get luck and find the clip at TSC or other such places