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Model A & B

Ford Garage

Ignition Components Table

The table below is a summary of the era aftermarket ignition interchange part numbers for the typical Model A and B Ford ignition tune-up items such as points, rotors, condensers, distributor caps, etc.

This list will help you spot and ID NOS and NORS parts at swap meets. These old vintage parts are often better quality than currently available reproduction parts, other than possibly condensers as discussed below.

Do you have any other brands to add to the list?

Description Year Ford Niehoff Filko Standard
Motor
Products		 Motorcraft Echlin
NAPA		 AMPCO
A Contact Points Set 1928-31 A-12199 FF-14-15 48-45 FD 1718 DP-104 CS 30 F 81
A Contact Arm 1928-31 A-12162 FF 14 FB 48 FA 16
A Contact Screw 1928-31 A-12172 FF 15 FC 45 FA 7
B Contact Points Set 1932-34 B-12199 FF-23-15 49-45 F-82-W
B Contact Arm 1932-34 B-12162 FF 23 FB 49 FA 14
B Contact Screw 1932-34 B-12172 FF 15 FC 45 FA 7
A Condenser 1928-31 A-12300 FO 200 FD 11 DC-1 FA 5 F 580
B Condenser 1932-34 B-12300 FF 21 FO 201 FD 55 FA 10 F 581
Rotor 1928-34 B-12200 FF 12 FO 71 FD 15 FA 3 F 901
Distributor Body * 1928-34 B-12105 FO 70 FD 22 F 900
Distributor Cap 1928-34 B-12115 FO 70A FD 21 FA 9 F 902
"Hi-Speed" One-piece
Round Distributor Cap		 1928-34 FF 71 F 928
A Upper Plate Asm
with Points		 1928-31 FF 106 BA-2
A Upper Plate Asm
w/o Points		 1928-31 A-12151 BA-2LP FD 29 FA 30
A Lower Plate Asm 1928-31 A-12148 BA-20 F 3811

*Distributor Body:

The 1928 Distributor Body is characterized by a single locating notch to the distributor casting pin, and a tall window with radiused upper notches (for stress relief) for the movable point plate arm to extend through.

The 1929-31 Distributor Body A-12105 is characterized by a single locating notch to the distributor casting pin, and a tall window with square upper corners for the the movable point plate arm to extend through.

The 1932-34 Distributor Body B-12105 was designed to be backwards compatible and work with both the Model A and Model B distributor casting pin locations. It is characterized by having two locating notches so as to fit either distributor casting pin, and with a short window with square upper corners for the the fixed Model B point plate arm to extend through.

In addition however, the B-12105 had a thinned out rectangular section above the point plate arm notch, which could be broken out with pliers so as to also fit a Model A distributor. It was designed with a nominally short window to better fit the more sensitive Model B distributor (with its centrifugal advance mechanism) and better seal it from dust and insects, etc.

Most aftermarket and reproduction distributor bodies are designed with a nominally tall square window like a later Model A, but also having both casting notches to fit the Model B distributor as well as the Model A.


Condensors:

The May 29, 1930 Ford detail drawing of the A-12300 condenser indicates it to be either a Bosch CD-77949, or an Auto-Lite 1GF-2004.

A word about Condensers:
It is generally not recommended (and may be unreliable) to use NOS or old condensers due to the technology used to produce them. Many of them are subject to failure due to perforation of the internal wax paper type insulator which separates the foil layers.

This risk of failure is compounded by the physical location of the condenser on a Model A. It is placed inside the cast iron distributor casting, just above the cylinder head, and in close proximity to the exhaust manifold.

The Model A condenser is in a high temperature environment with little air circulation or cooling. Virtually all other automotive condensers are placed up higher and away from engine heat.
To minimize the risk of condenser failure, it is generally held that the modern "burnout-proof" condensers of the proper capacitance are the most reliable.

These condensers have a modern polyester (Mylar) film internal insulator and are better able to withstand the high heat conditions found in the Model A application.

More related information on Ford Garage:

  1. For more Model A & B related information, use the Site Search box at the top or bottom of this page.
  2. Model A Condenser Capacitance
  3. Model A & B Condenser Details
  4. Model B & Model 46 Distributor Design Details
  5. Model B & Model 46 Distributor Advance Operation
  6. Model B & Model 46 Pertronix Ignitor Distributor Timing Procedures
  7. Model A Remund Pertronix Electronic Ignition Instructions
  8. Model A & B Engine Cam/Valve and Ignition/Spark Timing Discussion
  9. Model A, B, & Model 46 Camshaft Gear Timing Cover Differences
  10. Model A Distributor Lower Plate Wiring Solution
  11. Model A Nu-Rex Centrifugal Spark Advance Unit

February 2008