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I put points back in my distributer that the previous owner had a Cranes electric points. The coil wire has a brass crimp (came from NAPA that way) on it and it seems to me that it may or could interfere with the vacuum advance. Its a B26 can with a Lars VAC bracket that limits the vacuum to 12. Replaced the springs too - basically following the Lars papers. Everything works fine but I'm worried that the brass crimp will find its way to perhaps causing an issue. I was told that its function is to keep from pulling the wire out but it's nowhere near the grommet where it goes through the base and if you pull it to tight the wire hits the points spring. I need some help on whether or not this is "ok" or that it should be routed differently?? This is a 69 L46
Some internet pictures show the condenser pointing in the opposite direct with the red wire going around the back side...then connected to the points screw terminal.
It does not show the black wire going under the mounting plate in the gap where your black wire is routed.
Like you said...it looks like a couple problems could develop.
IF you route the black crimped wire around the back side of the distributor would the brass crimp be closer to the exit-hole in the bottom of the distributor housing?
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
There is no problem with that brass wire stop - it will move with the breaker plate, and it will not cause interference. Your condenser is mounted the correct way. If you want to make it more correct, twist the condenser wire one turn around the coil ground wire going to the points.
The photo above shows the first design of the VAC Limiter, shaped as a "T" to accommodate Pontiac or Chevy. The "leg" of the "T" sticking out beyond the outer diameter of the distributor housing would prevent the distributor cap from seating, so the VAC was re-designed as shown in the photo below (and as shown on the photo you posted). But notice in your photo that your ground wire terminal is not "clocked" correctly: It is clocked so that the terminal is sticking out beyond the diameter of the housing. This will prevent your distributor cap from seating.
So your ground wire terminal where it attaches to the VAC retaining screw needs to be rotated a little clockwise as seen from the top - see the position of the ground terminal in my photo below compared to yours. Yours is sticking out far enough it could interfere with proper seating of your distributor cap. It must be clocked like this:
Just to make sure, you could always put a vacuum hand pump on the can and watch it move when you pump it up. Let us know how the car runs. I did the same tune on my distributor and am very happy with the results. Jerry
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I can tell you with 100% certainty that you don't have a problem. We have tested these extensively to try to get them to fail or jam under every possible "screw-up" condition, and they don't fail. The wire stop crimp clip will not interfere in any way with the movement. Really.
Thanks for the feedback... Vacuum functions fine and moves without interference and with the VAC it doesn't move much. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a issue... if there's a way to screw something up, I'm usually first in line! It ran fine with absolutely no issues. Engine is being rebuilt and sending some stuff out and wanted to make sure everything was "ok". I'm going to do as Lars suggest and clock the ground and perhaps the twist. Is it okay for the wires to touch the points spring? I wonder why the clip is located there and not closer to the grommet? I'll post the update photos tomorrow.
Thanks for the feedback... Vacuum functions fine and moves without interference and with the VAC it doesn't move much. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a issue... if there's a way to screw something up, I'm usually first in line! It ran fine with absolutely no issues. Engine is being rebuilt and sending some stuff out and wanted to make sure everything was "ok". I'm going to do as Lars suggest and clock the ground and perhaps the twist. Is it okay for the wires to touch the points spring? I wonder why the clip is located there and not closer to the grommet? I'll post the update photos tomorrow.
You and I are tied for 1st.
Lars...thanks for helping us
So I think I got it. I clocked the ground a bit then routed the wires as close to Lar's photo as I could. I really appreciate the comments. I get around pretty good mechanically but when it comes to the carb and ignition stuff I realize I don't know what I don't know and need pictures! I try to do what I think makes sense but when it comes to some of the details that may or may not need attention I'll seek help where I can. I didn't even notice that there may be an interference issue with the ground screw. Luckily it wasn't but just barely. Good catch!
Too bad those connectors are crimped 90 degrees where they attach to the points You could really lay them "low" if there were "in-line" with the wire they are attached to, (I won't even suggest flipping them 180 degrees)
Distributer Coil Wire Question
(I won't even suggest flipping them 180 degrees)