Replacing the Distributor

[msass]

I have a 1951 Henry J. It is a 6 cylinder. It won't start and we seem to have it narrowed down to the distributor, points, spark plugs and all of that. What are the replacement parts I need from like a NAPA or similar store?

[joefrazer]

NAPA numbers - assuming you have Delco electrics

RR83 rotor
RR95 distributor cap
CS777a points

You can use J8C Champion spark plugs. NAPA also carries a generic 6V coil that is inexpensive.

[Fid]

A '51 Henry J will have Autolite electrical components so those Delco numbers will not work (unless of course someone converted it to Delco which has happened).
When I get to my personal computer I will post the Autolite replacement part numbers.  Also, be sure the plug wires are in the right order - the rotor turns counter-clockwise. If the wires were installed assuming clockwise rotation it may not start and if it does start it will not run well!

[Fid]

Autolite numbers
Ignition Points: NAPA ECH CS725A  (not  CS851 as I originally posted - sorry!)
Distributor Cap: NAPA ECH AL105
Rotor: NAPA ECH AL104

I don't have a number for the condenser but they seldom fail... which is probably why I don't have a number for one.

Good luck. 

[msass]

Thanks!

[msass]

The CS851 points were not the right fit, however the rotor and cap seem to work. Is that possible?

[Fid]

Sorry, I had the wrong number  for those points - my bad! It should be ECH CS725A. That's the number I have the picture on the NAPA website sure looks correct. Does the car still have the original distributor? It should be an Autolite 1AT-4007.

[msass]

It might not. I'll have to look tonight.

[msass]

Well, that's exactly what my distributor is..Autolite 1AT-4007 8E. My mechanic said that the NAPA CS851 points would not fit however.

[msass]

It looks more like the CS725 points would work, but I am not even close to an expert.

[Fid]

Sometimes it is easiest to pull the distributor to install the points.  If you're not familiar with how to do that, let us know and someone will give you the info. But I gave you the wrong number, it is ECH CS725A (I corrected it in my original post).