VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 33 vacuum spark advance on a 32 distributor?

Can I use a 33 vacuum type advance on a 32 chevy distributor? I would connect the vacuum line to a tap in the intake manifold where apparently the windshield wiper motor took vacuum before.

The diameter of both distributors is the same at 1.060" the length of both the 1932 and 1933 bodies below the shoulder are also the same.
That would leave you with a method needed to attach the octane selector bracket onto the block.

Do you have a copy of the different advance curves for the 2 different distributors 633-J and 644-D ?

There are many 6 cylinder distributors that can be fit to your engine. I have a '31 engine that has a modern HEI distributor fitted to it. Looks terribly out of place but works. Unfortunately the main bearings were not refreshed when the rest of the engine was "rebuilt" by a major airline mechanic.

Chipper --

You failed to finish the story about bearings. Please continue.

Jim.

There is not much more of the story. Engine lower end needs rebuild.

Thanks jack39rdstr,
I will look at a way to attach the octain selector bracket to the block. How is the 33 block modified? If a shallow drill and tap, I could do that. I do not have the curves, so will search on Google. Can I attach the vacuum line to a tap in the intake manifold where, I think the windshield wiper motor is normally connected?

About 2 inches aft from the distributor there is a cast on boss which has a 1/4" thread in it . The octane selector bracket screws onto it. I had a look at a 1931 block and it has a screw hole roughly in the same position for the spark control cable bracket.(don't have a 32 block to check). But it may fit onto there straight up, or you may need to move the hole in the bracket.
If you send me a PM with your email address ,I can email a picture to you.

In 1933 the W-1 carburettor was changed to include a vacuum port on the lower part of the carb. This provides the even vacuum needed for the advance mechanism. If you have the original 1932 carb it will not have it. So look for a 569-S replacement carb which fits 1932 to 1936 engines and it will have a vacuum port.

Thanks Jack.
I have located the threaded hole that has the bracket for the cable. It should work out.
Next Question/challenge: I am planning to rebuild this as a racer in the same vintage. In the process, to get a long hood look, and lower the body, I plan on move the radiator forward and lower in front of the front cross member. This will lower the hood so much it will prrobably not clear the carburetor. I have seen pre war racers with SU carburetors. They were in business from 1905. They are side draft.
Now, what do you think about:
1. Would an SU work, especially if it has a vacuum port for the vacuum advance?
2. Do you think it would be period correct?
3. Can I machine a flat on the side of the existing manifold to mount the side draft SU? Then put a plate over where the old carb was.
4. This would eliminate the manual advance, and the manual choke (the SU has a built in choke). This could run better and clean up the dash I will be building in the racer.
Thanks for your opinion.
This email is a wonderfull thing! You are a. World away it is hot summer their, here it is -9 degrees F, and snow.
Norm

Hi Norm.
You are moving away from my field of experience a bit now. As a new member here , you may not be aware that we have a speedster
forum, so I will post a link to that forum,and I am sure that the speedser following people here will be able to continue to help you with your project.
https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/forums/58/1/Speedsters