Buick 1927 delco 640a 1928 distributor needed UK

[chris earl uk]

Hi all. Previously posted  In general and had some great help but realised I should have posted in Buick prewar after a member suggested this. 
 

Hi I have purchased a 27 Buick sedan. I just can’t resist these early Buicks especially when they are needing a cuddle to get them on the road again. not ran for a few years.  Looking to swap out for a 1928  delco 640a as points etc cheaper . I’m hoping if I can find a 640 a it will be a direct replacement? Any advice greatly appreciated. Kind regards .  

 

Edited March 21 by chris earl uk
Update (see edit history)

[Leif Holmberg]

Use the old one as a pattern to made a new one in steel.Not very hard to do if you have a latch and a welding maschin.

Edited October 27, 2023 by Leif Holmberg (see edit history)

[McNigel]

Hi Chris, I am based in Austria and am restoring a 1925 Standard 6. My distributor is also seized so I have made a 3D model and am looking into having it 3D printed in aluminium. Its not cheap (~€350) but let me know if you're interested, if I get several made the price will come down.

[Leif Holmberg]

McNigel you can use a distributor from 4cyl.Buick 1923-1924 made of cast steel and just move the parts from your 1925 to the 1924 dist.will fit without problem.

1925 parts no.D-15505 and  1927 parts no.D-16631

[Leif Holmberg]

If I remember right 1925 or earlier distributor house can not be used on 1926-1927.

[Peter R.]

Chris, I can help with either a steel or aluminum cup or a complete 640-A or 640-J (1929) distributor.

 

Best,

Peter (located in Switzerland)

 

[Peter R.]

[Hubert_25-25]

Chris,    Some recent work and my thoughts.  A few drawings as well.  Your least expensive option overall is a 640_  or 650B Delco distributor (contact Peter).  I need someone to enlighten me on the 650B which was used on the series 50 and 60 in 1930.  I am not sure why it is different than a 640_ as all were 6 cylinder engines. 

   I have recently passed up on a few 640 distributors, the I got lucky and Fred Rawlings had one.  Still, we need options as they can take a lot of patience to find one..   

 

Attached is a drawing of the 640_ mounting plate.  Maybe someone is missing this? These are easy to make.  My drawing says 5/16 bolt, but two of my distributors have 1/4-20 bolts, but the nut spins rather than held in the slot.  The bracket has a 5/16 ID wrap around for the bolt.    .090 thick steel, so not too difficult to make of have a machine shop make for you.  You will need this plate.  Consider modifing the plate that is left over when you remove your pot metal distributor.  

So now for the distributor.  The 640 is a direct drop in for the 1926 and 1927 Buicks.  These are the dimensions of a 640_ distributor.  Notice that the 13 tooth gear is available from Bobs Automobilia.  

 

So I have some options for the distributor if a person is having trouble locating a 640_.  How about a new distributor, but you will need to make a few modifications.  This is the distributor for a 1953 to 1962 Chevy 6 cylinder.  These are not expensive and they are available from several sources.  They also turn clockwise like the Buick distributor.  If the housing is bigger than 1", it can be turned.  The 640_ is 1.060 OD on the housing shaft section.  Get some .030 sheetmetal and make a collar and bend over a small flange on the top side.  Cut off the housing to the length of the 640.  Cut the shaft to length.

 

The shaft may be .491, and the gear from Bob's is 1/2".  You may need to make a bushing for the gear, but there is also a chevy 13 tooth gear with a .491 ID.  I have not tried this, but that could work as well.  

If you have a 1925, the easy fix again is get a 1923 or 1924 Buick distributor and swap out the internals.  If you want to go with a new distributor, it would be the same as above, but you would need to make a bushing for the housing that is 1.470 OD.  Maintain the same gear dimension from the base of the housing.  Reuse your old gear or get the larger gear that is also available from Bob's

Hugh 

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by Hubert_25-25 (see edit history)

[Fred Rawling]

1930 Ser. 50 & 60 were dual points.

 

I just saw a 1929 generator on the shed in my shed that has the distributor in it. (fits 1926 and 1927).  If you need  one contact me.

 

If you have the original distributor that is frozen frozen in the generator  of a 26 or 27 generator, providing it is just frozen and not yet broken, I cut it out of the generator end  plate.  Generators are cheaper than distributors.

[Motorpirate]

On 11/9/2023 at 11:41 AM, Fred Rawling said:

1930 Ser. 50 & 60 were dual points.

 

I just saw a 1929 generator on the shed in my shed that has the distributor in it. (fits 1926 and 1927).  If you need  one contact me.

 

If you have the original distributor that is frozen frozen in the generator  of a 26 or 27 generator, providing it is just frozen and not yet broken, I cut it out of the generator end  plate.  Generators are cheaper than distributors.

If that Distributor is still available, I would be VERY interested!