Short Two Distributor cap and rotor options

[Cyclecars]

Here is another request for images and suggestions for proper distributor parts for my 1924 Short Two. It will still be a month or more before I pull the car out for a dust-off, but while I am preparing, I wanted to ask about the distributor for the short two.

I received the car with a setup that had a Trojan cap and a rotor that works, but is a but cobbled-up.
As with my other requests, I do not have access to be able to peek under any other Jowett bonnets and see what is common and/or proper for a cap and rotor.
If someone could please share some images so I can start a search for a proper cap (and rotor, and points).
Specifically, I want to know:
Is this a Lucas cap?
Are the wire leads offset to the side, or are the coming from the top? Which is proper, originally. It's not a big deal, but I would like to know which is correct.
Are the cap-side wires boot-covered with a thread into the cap, or set-screwed without a boot, or just pressed in (with a boot). It seems most likely not the latter.
What is the normal way to mount the condenser? Mine is just floating on the wire in the compartment. Not attractive at all.

Most of all, I want to use this Trojan cap on my Trojan! So I need to know what to put in to replace that Trojan cap!
Thanks as always for the guidance. Images are most welcomed.

[Chris Spencer]

All depends upon what make of distributor that you have fitted to the car in the first place Jowett used a few different suppliers the one that was on mine was Delco - My first port of call would be as always Jowett Car Spares - You will need to advise them what make / model of distributor you currently have fitted

[Cyclecars]

Thanks for the reply. I believe it is Delco since the current cap is a Trojan. I will take a deeper look in a few weeks when I start to get the frost off the cars. I will post in the spares area as directed. I am still looking for images of "normal" since I cannot look at other examples in person. If any wants to share what their distributor (area) looks like, it would help me a lot. I have no resources to see what others can see by hanging out with fellow Jowetters.

[ChrisE]

Keith,
Please see below from my 1929. I think it is pretty much the same from 1926. If there’s anything particular you want to see then give me a shout








Chris

[Cyclecars]

This is tremendously helpful to me! There is so much information in these photos even beyond just the distributor. Thank you so much!
This shows me what it is supposed to look like! (Split cap/screwed-down wire with right angle entry, condenser mounted, etc. )

I might try and get a cap like this eventually. I also think have some other options once I pull out the car and have a closer look (in a few weeks).

THANK YOU so much!
- Keith

[Chris Spencer]

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And these are from my 1927 Long 4 - now with a new owner but they should be of good reference for you

[Cyclecars]

Thanks again!
That set-up (from the long four) looks different from mine, but the first set (short two) matches better. The cap has offset (90 degree) wires like mine. My car has a Trojan cap (shown here). The rotor inside is slightly modified to fit into the distributor, but it does work. I'd like to get proper cap, rotor and points and will post in the spares section when I know exactly what I am asking for. Interestingly, I think a John Deere Model A (Tractor) setup would fit but the cap for those is not offset 90. I will experiment in a few weeks once I get back to the car which is in winter hibernation. This is the year of the Jowett for me. It is getting most of the TLC this year. A new proper cap will be the start.

Thanks again for this great info. I suspect you will get tired of this silly American asking for images all the time, but it's the best I can do from over here. You have no idea how much I appreciate these images!

[k. rogers]

It's a pleasure having you onboard, sir!

[ChrisE]

To all the posters, I am a huge believer that posting photos, lots of photos, is a massive help to everyone and a resource that should sit on the web forever as long as the club is able to back threads up. Keep doing it!

Chris

[ChrisE]

Does this help?

https://old20tractorparts.com/tractor-p ... on-system/

[Cyclecars]

Thanks Chris,
If it is a match (I am eyeballing it for now), I have ready access to all the tractor parts I need including a delco remy that fits a Deere Type A. I live just a few miles from a very large tractor parts distributer I have used a lot in the past. My experience with old tractors made me think it might be a fit after looking at images. I'll check the sizes in a week or two when I get up to see the car and measure. If it cross fits, that would be nice and easy for probably most of the ignition. The fact that a Trojan cap was slapped on makes me think this won't be very hard to find something close.
I am good for now. I will let you know what I find with this cross fit possibility. Tractor parts are easy to get for almost any main U.S. make made in the 20th century.
I'll let you know here in a while.
- Keith

[Cyclecars]

...and the answer is... The John Deere Type A distributor is similar, but not the same. The cap is too deep and a few other differences.
So, that guess did not pan out.


So I will jump over to spares and see what I can find. The issue with the trojan cap is that it has extra contacts inside the cap. It is not quite right.

I am looking for what Chris E showed in a prior post.
Thanks a bunch, folks. I'll want to get a cap, button, and points to make it right.

[Chris Spencer]

JCS probably has that cap coming into stock shortly - I am currently in the process of recovering a substantial amount of vintage parts stock and there is a tin with several 2 cylinder distributor caps within the stock - please be patient whilst I organise / sort this - I'm aware of your requirements and I'm liaising with Paul on it - Please note whilst the suppression lead entry on your distributor cap is horizontal don't discount a cap that may have vertical lead entry - caps manufactured by different suppliers with different style lead entries would still fit and do the job intended - I currently have a 1927 Short 2 with me fitted with a 5 lead cap fitted to it and it still does the job

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