WTB- Delco-Remy Distributor Plate

[Kblake]

I am looking to buy a Delco-Remy Distributor Stationary Base Plate for a 1932 Dodge Brothers 8 cylinder.

 

The Delco-Remy Distributor Model Number is 661-D and was only used in 1932-33 Dodge 8 cylinder cars. The Lower Breaker Plate Delco-Remy Number is 1843440.  

 

Thanks.

 

[Peter R.]

Most DR 661 distributor models used the same breaker plate. Are you looking for a NOS plate or would a good used one be an option too? Is yours missing or defective?

 

[Kblake]

Well there is a interesting development on this issue. The 661-D distributor in my 1932 Dodge Brothers DK-8 has a plate that doesn't match the illustration in the manual with the orientation of the points flipped. Researching a number on the points in the current distributor set-up are for a 1938-40 Cadillac. So I assumed a previous owner had changed the plate in my 661-D distributor, until I found another 661-D distributor on e-bay that had the same plate that mine did. So now I'm thinking that the plate inside my distributor is correct, perhaps a mid-year production change, but a factory distributor set up. So I'm going to keep this set-up.

 

Thanks for reaching out. 

[edinmass]

Check the advance curve. It’s probably not correct for your car. 

[Peter R.]

9 hours ago, Kblake said:

So now I'm thinking that the plate inside my distributor is correct

You‘re definitely right your plate is correct and the illustration is wrong.

Here‘s a 661-D distributor that I have:

 

 

[Peter R.]

Here are a bunch of other distributors using the same breaker plate (1843440):

 

 

[Peter R.]

[Peter R.]

I also noticed that all 665 type distributors are using breaker plate 1843440.

 

 

[Peter R.]

[Peter R.]

…..and many 11106xx distributors do so too:

 

 

[Peter R.]

The original points on plate 1843440 in the early 30‘s were:

 

Contact Arm 1842085

Contact Support 1839985

 

 

[Peter R.]

In the mid 30‘s contact support 1839985 was replaced by 1845785. The contact lever remained the same.

 

 

[Peter R.]

The difference between support 1839985 and 1845785 is that the borehole in which the support rotates when adjustment is being made is slotted on 1845785. 1839985 is nickel plated, while 1845785 is now zinc plated. Both supports are interchangeable and are stamped 85 for identification.

 

 

[Peter R.]

In the late 30‘s lever 1842058 and support 1845785 became known as Set 1871869.

 

 

[Kblake]

2 minutes ago, Peter R. said:

In the late 30‘s lever 1842058 and support 1845785 became known as Set 1871869.

 

 

Peter,

 

Thank you very much for all that history and information! It was very helpful. Unsure why the manual is incorrect but I'm very relived to know I have the correct plate for the correct distributor. 

[Peter R.]

Improvements were made to lever 1842058 in the mid 50‘s (simplified and sturdier design). The new part number was 1917254. Together with support 1845786 available as Set 1925852. Interchangeable with set 1871869.