Prestolite distributor

Tractorcedric · Nov 13, 2020

So I have a Continental F163 engine that may have been in a welder or forklift. And I plan to put it in a Massey Harris 101 Junior. The distributor cap is busted and the rotor is missing. The cap is I think what they call a spider type. Made to help with height of the engine. The number inside that cap is IBT-1111A. The number on the distributor tag is IBT-4701A. Just wondered if a standard type cap and rotor could be crossed to use and make it look more original. Thanks for your knowledge!!!

DERM · Nov 13, 2020

Google the distributor number. Found a company that showed the distributor with a normal looking cap. Trupar.com

J Hamilton · Nov 13, 2020

I've ordered many distributor parts from Brillman

Gambles · Nov 13, 2020

Years ago, I was a forklift tech in a factory that used Continental engines. They needed those crab-caps so there was clearance for the seats. At the time, we got our ignition parts from NAPA and their illustration in the catalogs showed both types of caps. See if you can get a little help from a parts man who is still willing to use an illustrated paper catalog.

Crazy Horse · Nov 13, 2020

I had a MH 101 JR with that type of distributor, and then another 101 JR later on and also a current model 20 with the newer type where the wires are plugged in out the top like most distributors. I'm sure those are available somewhere, not new of course but you never know. Try Montes Equipment .... they are in Chicago. The 163 is indeed some kind of an industrial version of the 162, I remember someone asking here on the YT site years back why the small difference in displacement, I can't remember what it was exactly.

Where are you located? See link below ....
Montes Equipment ..... poke here

Crazy Horse · Nov 13, 2020

Cedric .... here is a photo of one which came out of a Massey swather from the early 60's. It had what Continental called the 400F block assembly (same block for 124, 140, and 162 cubic inch versions of that engine). I believe this block that this distributor came from was a 140 but they were all the same regardless of the engine displacement. This is a Delco Remy distributor and I transplanted that swather engine into a Case model V tractor and I kept the magneto ignition that the Case used. This is Delcom Remy model 1111716 and serial 4C5 stamped on the ID plate. I have something similar (maybe the same) on my Massey Harris 20 tractor. That little drive shaft is 8 5/8" in length that is driven from the camshaft.

Crazy Horse · Nov 13, 2020

OK, I found the differences between the Continental 162 and 163 in a book I have here. The 163 is an industrial version and is a bit heavier in the crank and connecting rod bearings .... so the 162 and 163 would essentially be the same unless you were rebuilding it I think ....

Compression Ratio - 162 = 6.01:1
- 163 = 7.40:1

Not sure what inside the engine (measurements)makes the ratio different.

The crank main bearings and the connecting rod bearings are slightly bigger on the 163 and the oil pressure is 20-30 lbs on the 162 and 30-40 lbs on the 163 (looks like different pressure relief springs). Valve clearances are also a bit different. If you want, I can scan this engine spec sheet for you and email it to you. My email is:

[email protected]

J. Schwiebert · Nov 13, 2020

Back up here! The big difference is the 163 uses a full flange type thrust bearing. The blocks, crankshafts and heads will NOT interchange. The 163 replaced the 162 and the 245 replaced the 244 at least 20 years ago. More questions?

Mike in Mn. · Nov 13, 2020

On some of the welder engines the crankshaft is NOT drilled for a pilot bearing, ran into that years ago doing that swap.

Crazy Horse · Nov 13, 2020

Well JS, that's nice to know. The first part of your answer I have no issues with. Your last sentence leads me to think though that maybe you are slightly full of yourself. Any comments on his original problem with his distributor, please join into the discussion.

Tractorcedric · Nov 13, 2020

Yes I just went hog wild and drilled out the crank! Hope it works. Noticed that the old engine had a much oversized hole in the crank. Did Massey just not use a pilot?

Tractorcedric · Nov 13, 2020

Thanks for all the info! Just hope the difference in the blocks doesn't keep me from bolting it in. I kept looking on the net and typed in the part number for the distributor, IBT-4107A and a forklift site showed a replacement one with cap options. So I ordered a cap that had the wires coming out the top, PL3-129, and a rotor. Got my fingers crossed. Make sure that if you try this at home to check to see if the crank in your replacement engine is drilled for a pilot hole!

DMartin9N-2N · Nov 13, 2020

Good evening. Mike in MN: It seems possible to me that the crank pilot drilling would be for a transmission shaft with a clutch involved. Possibly air compressors and generators do not have clutches, no transmission shafts. Just me thinking....

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.

Prestolite distributor

Tractorcedric

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DERM

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J Hamilton

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Gambles

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Crazy Horse

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Crazy Horse

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Crazy Horse

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J. Schwiebert

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Mike in Mn.

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