Stepdown Distributor Question

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Is the little wire on the inside of the distributor that runs from the coil terminal to the points "special' in anyway? Mine broke and I went to the parts store to see if I could find one the right length already made up with the proper terminals, and the guy behind the counter said that wire had to have the right 'resistance' or the current would burn my points up. He said all old cars had a special resistance they used in that wire. Is he right?

Comments

  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    He's talking through a hole in his head! There should be no resistance in the wire, but it must be a fine braided wire that is very flexible, as the points plate moves back and forth with the vacuum advance, and the wire has to flex.

    Geoff.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Yup Geoff is right you ran into a parts store genius. Rather than say they don't know they make up BS.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Well, I thought he was blowing smoke up my pajamas, but I thought I would ask anyway. And your right Geoff, it was a 'woven' type wire that will take movement well. You haven't lived until you try changing that little old wire on the side of the road. Hudson really knew how to hide a distributor when they built that straight 8.

    Next time I see this fella, I will take my voltmeter along and check for resistance between his ears.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Scott



    The attached picture is of the correct wire for the distributor...



    Cheers
  • J Spencer
    J Spencer Expert Adviser
    Scott wrote:
    Is the little wire on the inside of the distributor that runs from the coil terminal to the points "special' in anyway? Mine broke and I went to the parts store to see if I could find one the right length already made up with the proper terminals, and the guy behind the counter said that wire had to have the right 'resistance' or the current would burn my points up. He said all old cars had a special resistance they used in that wire. Is he right?



    Scott, GP Sorensen part# GL56, available through Advance Auto Parts.

    NAPA should be able to supply also part # LW43



    I work for Advance and I bought mine there. No actual listing, I researched the illustrated parts section of the ignition catalogue and came up with the number. Not expensive, probably about a buck apiece.



    Good Luck! Jim Spencer
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Thanks for the picture and part numbers. I see that the wire terminals are slotted, which will make installation MUCH easier. I didn't look forward to taking out those little screws again.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    And pay close attention to how that wire is positioned ... if movement of the breaker plate causes it to chafe against the side of the distributor housing, when the insulation wears off you'll have a dead short to ground, "bypassing" the points. This is a good place to start looking when your Hudson just suddenly drops dead as you're driving.
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Park speaks the truth. Whoever changed the wire in my 8 put in one with a large crimp on the case end which indeed rubbed the breaker plate and intermittenly shorted the engine out over 30mph.



    BTW, it's a lot easier to note the position of the rotor, take the whole distributor out and deal with it on the bench and put it back in, making sure the rotor winds up at the same place than to frog around down in there with it installed.



    Just be thankful it's not right-hand drive, lol
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    "Blowing smoke up my pajamas." :D Thanks, Scott, I'm stealing that one from you...:cool:
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