Distributor V12

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 10:31 am

Do the the distributor numbers on the 2 ditributor caps go 1-6 or 1-12. Also are the numbers arranged by the cable that goes into the distributor or by the firing order? Thanks

fest · Post by **fest** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 10:41 pm

I believe that the numbering system
used on the Distributor Cap
is the firing order of the distributor
NOT the engine itself
which is somewhat confusing, I admit

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 10:57 pm

I have been checking around and so far I am being told that the numbers are 1-6 on both distributors. Also the numbers are arranged the same way for both distributors. It kind of makes sense. If in the 70's you bought a new distrbutor cap they would not be asking you which "bank you want" so that you get the correct numbers for the cap. It also has nothing to do with firing order, I'm told. But I'm still checking. Will keep you posted...and thanks.

Post by **330GT** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:07 pm

Definitely 1-6 on both caps. Numbered around the cap, not in firing order for each bank.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:12 pm

Thanks Kerry.

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 12:53 am

Paul,

My Lusso is pretty original and it has 1-6 on both caps. The numbers are in the spinning order of the rotor, not the firing order.

It is seems absurd. What does it tell us? Can anyone explain?

john

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 1:18 am

It tells us nothing. Something needed to be put in those tiney little round holes.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 1:21 am

John,

That is only my opinion. It would be nice to have a more mechanical reason... if it exits.

Paul

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 9:42 am

My distributors each have 1-6 on them, which is obviously the order of the distributor.

In addition to this, some previous owner (or mechanic) put little sleeves around each wire to indicate the firing order of that bank.

For example, my 330's firing order is:
1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10

That means that the passenger side bank firing order is
1-5-3-6-2-4

Therefore, the little sleeves corresponded:
1-2-3-4-5-6 is what's on the distributor
1-5-3-6-2-4 is what's on the little sleeves.

--Matt

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 9:48 am

I posted a picture on Paul's other thread at http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20567.

--Matt

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 4:47 pm

In contrast to the Lusso, my '59 250 GT has 1-6 on one cap and 7-12 on the other. The numbers are in firing order of the bank and they look pretty official. The caps are old original bakelite and each number has a clear veneer of celluloid over it for protection from solvent fluids.

I don't know which is correct, but this one makes better sense than the Lusso's.

john

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 8:08 pm

John,

I believe that the1-12 is correct. Otherwise the numbers are useless. Maybe the correct use of the numbers got lost in the rough. Are the 10-12 numbers extra small to fit those tiney holes?
Paul

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 12:09 am

Paul,

Yes, the numbers are small and look to be fit by the manufacturer.

john

fest · Post by **fest** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 10:05 pm

on V12 cars with a single disributor
the numbers actually come in handy
as the Rotor is a 2-level affair
and the terminals in the Cap are stagggerd
and the numbering scheme
(firing order of CAP not Engine)
helps one sort it out

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:09 am

Ater a bit of discussion with many Ferrari restoration shops the early Ferraris such John's 250 PF had the distributors numbered 1-12. At some point this stopped because every (and I mean every) restoration shop said that both distributors for the Daytona were numbered 1-6. As far as I can tell the numbering means nothing for the 1-6 cars such as Daytona.

www.tomyang.net

Distributor V12

Distributor V12

order order

400i