I have three Thomas distributors. Does anyone re-condition these units? Are they good accessories or are they "wall hangers?"
Never seen one. How about a picture? I would sure use one if I was building a period correct speedster. You can probably adapt modern points and condenser. The rotor and cap might be a problem if you don't have serviceable ones to choose from.
I've used an Atwater Kent and it was OK except the bevel drive gears are so small they fail quickly.
If it's the simple timer elevator, not worth much, good wall hangers for history.
I am drooling! I want one of those. Some feller at Chickasha was showing off one of those right in front of me this year.
Royce
You know, I used to see these lots at swaps years ago, passed them up. Figured why put the regular Ford timer up into the air, have those gears and shaft to lube along with the timer?
Now...with age comes wisdom.....and a tight back with muscle spams when bending down low under the hood....
...why that Thomas thing...would make it easy to clean the timer, and keep the loom and wires out of the oil down below, or the spark rod hitting the fan belt!
I have one for our Model N but haven't taken the time to figure out a linkage system. It will attach to the front of the engine and would be a tremendous improvement to where the timer is now, on the back of the engine tucked neatly between the transmission and crankcase.
Full size adv on the Thomas
Thanks all for responding. It looks more like a Bosch distributor, unlike the pictures shown. I will take some pictures tomorrow and post
Victor W, Thomas
Waukegan, Illinois
Current Collector for Magnetos
Patent number: 1372788
Filing date: Apr 5, 1919
Issue date: Mar 29, 1921
http://tinyurl.com/6tpmkqy
Victor W. Thomas
Waukegan, Illinois
Timer Elevator for Ford Cars
Patent number: 1460806
Filing date: Feb 21, 1921
Issue date: Jul 3, 1923
http://tinyurl.com/7ekwt3o
Whoops – Missed one . . .
Victor W. Thomas
Waukegan, Illinois
Ignition Device
Patent number: 1721720
Filing date: May 7, 1925
Issue date: Jul 23, 1929
http://tinyurl.com/7bgt8m4
Regards
Art
I took some pictures of the Thomas Distributors.
There are two distinctive styles. One looks like it has been converted.
Here is a Thomas Elevated Timer I got at Chickasha last year. It looks NOS. It has a beveled gear as opposed to what is shown in the advert. I'm looking for the drive gear that goes on the cam shaft.
If you have ever tried to put in a set of points and adjust them on a 1940 Ford V8 you would know the ultimate in pain and awkwardness.