Ford 1942 Business Coupe
 
Project update 2004-06-12 Long time no update, I've spent the winter mounting a Ford 51 dash in my Ford, 
but that update must have to wait. I have laid my hands on a Thickstun two carb intake. And before i mount that 
I had to change my Distributor, since the original Ford does not work with multi carb applications(not any good anyway). 
So A friend of mine brought over a MSD Pro-Billet Ready-to-Run 49-53 dizzy. The reason for that choice is that i wanted the 
vacuum advance function. Since it saves gas when you are out on the roads running with the throttle part open. 
And it could be nice not to have to worry about changing capacitors or breaker points :-) 
 
 
 
 
This is what i started with, an original 8BA distributor, that was NOS when i mounted it, and it has served real well , with the original carb setup. I've have been driving 15000 km in two years now, without a hitch. 
 
I removed the Champion H10 spark plugs, and they looked good after 15000 km. one was a bit black but i write up that on a loose connection. 
 
First i aligned the rotor to the number one cylinder. And also to the mark aligned on the crank pulley. As per standard instruction.
The round dot is the original marking, and i used a timing light to find where the timing was when the engine was running around 2000 RPM, Just so i could check out how the new dizzy is performing.
"Old" distributor out of the hole.. 
Out with the old in with the new, I also needed to replace the spark plug wires. Since the mounting is different on the new MSD Cap. So i got a set of black Accel wire's.
This is what you find when you open the distributor box. A lot of springs and bushing's, so you can adjust the timing curve. I started with the original setup though. 
First you have to set the installation height of the distributor, using this supplied gear setting spacer.
 This is done by loosening the locking screw on the hold down clamp. Then mount the distributor  and let the gear setting spacer rest on the cam gear. and tighten the screw again.
When setting the height its a good idea to see to it that the vacuum can don't hit anything. when advanced and retarded to the end location's. This is the max advance position.
Then its time to mount the distributor gear. Using the supplied pin.
The instruction said to use the supplied lubricant? i could not find anyone. So i used molybdenum grease just to be on the safe side. 
Mounted the distributor for the last time, the position where the rotor points now will be for the number one cylinder.
I also mounted my new  "NORS" AC swap meet find spark plugs .
Checkout the color matched text on the spark plugs.
I fitted a temporary T fitting of the windshield wiper connection. I will  mount the Thickstun manifold soon and just want to change one thing at the time. 
 
Mounted and ready, i only had to make a minor adjustment of the timing, and the whole process took around three hours, taking it slowly. Now i only have to cut the wires to the right length. mount my new manifold, and start fiddling with the Stromberg carbs ;-)
Specification Ford 42 Coupe

Engine:
Type..........Ford flathead 8 BA
Induction....Thickstun Manifold 3 Stromberg 81
Camshaft....8BA Truck
Ignition........MSD Pro-Billet
Exhaust....... Home Built headers.
Heads.......... Original today But I'm looking for some aluminum heads Not Edelbrock or Offenhauser, Got any ??

Chassis:
Frame..................Original..
Front suspension. Super bell tube axle 4-inch drop axle Posie spring split wishbone.

Rear suspension...Original with With long shackles "Special "aircraft" shock kit tube type this was an old after market kit that i found at a swap meet.

Tires, Front/Rear... Firestone 6,40 by 15 8,20 by 15 Whitewalls.
Wheels.................. Volvo 810 15" rims They have the old Ford bolt pattern.

Drive train:
Transmission........3 speed original gear box.
Rear end...............Original 46 Ford 3,54

Body:
Model..................Business Coupe
Modifications........Removed Running boards, mild custom.

Paint:
Opel Rally Kadett hood flat black.
 

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