VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Update on distributor for 1924

After getting the 490 model distributor we machined the body made a bushing for the top so the points plate had something to ride around and the shaft would be as center in the body as could be. The old lip was so far gone that the points would open by them self at full advance. We reamed the bottom end and installed a Ford Model A distributor shaft bushing, the inside diameter is the same for both plus it's a thin bushing so does not need much removed to install.
My biggest worry was the points plate would rotated the wrong way because of the lever pivots on the case. That bit I have been pondering for a few weeks but glad to say, it works. :)
When I installed the distributor a few weeks back I could get the car to fire but not run. The carburetor was gummed up and was not getting fuel from the vacuum pump (I primed it but it too was plugged). The owner cleaned the carb and bypassed the vacuum pump with an electric pump.
I went over today and did a re-tune and adjusted the valves. For me being a Ford T driver was hard to remember the throttle and spark lever are on different sides OK that really only took a couple of seconds. Anyway, backed it out of the shop, clutch is very grabby esp in reverse and took for short drive. Being use to Model A Ford's I kept thinking it needs a food feed. (See question below)

Couple of more questions, well 3 any way for now;
What is the best thing to use on the clutch?
What is the cold valve setting, I found hot?
Did the 1924 have a foot feed or just the lever under the steering wheel?

I want to thank everyone for their help in getting the car running! :)

THANK YOU!

I guess your car has the cone clutch, and that it is identical or at least similar to the clutch in my 1922 490? If so, I can make a post on my experiences, which differs a lot from driving a car with the modern clutch on 1925 models.

My 24 has a foot feed or accelerator pedal. It is detailed in the Jan 24 owners instructions so I would expect yours is missing.

Dave

I was thinking the foot feed was missing, why else would there be a foot rest!
swedechev; A posting on the cone clutch would be great! Maybe not just for me but any new owners of the the early cars that came with one. I am sure there are a number of different concoctions and remedies to get a soft clutch.
As far as 24 having a cone clutch, I am about 100% certain it does.

1925 was the new flat clutch.

OK Mark, I will make a post on my experiences on changing gears on my 1922 490 with cone clutch. Hopefully tomorrow.

If you search the 1912-1928 and 1916-1922 forums for "cone clutch" you will find that you are right: "a number of different concoctions and remedies to get a soft clutch." Search "newer than 20 years".

In my opinion the advices in the Repair Manuals works fine. So if the clutch is grabbing, use Neats-foot oil (collan oil), but start with small quantitys. When I installed a new leather, ten years and 7 000 miles ago I applicated the neats-foot oil with a brush, just two times. It sucked into the leather very rapidly. A year later I had the engine out of the car, and then I applicated once more. The clutch has so far been soft, without slippering or grabbing. After installing the new leather I adjusted the expanders twice, or maybe three times. But it was years since I did it the last time.

You must have a foot feed! I cannot imagine how to shift gears smoothly without one.

Good luck!

Neats-foot oil, that's what I was thinking.
No foot feed, yes makes it very hard to shift. It can be done but not fun in traffic!!

What is a FOOT FEED ?

Re FOOT FEED: Accelerator pedal, another name for.

Hi Mark

Now I have made a post in a new topic, Changing gears with cone clutch , both on this forum and the 1916-1922 forum (only 490). Hope it helps.