1951 Hornet Distributor

[George T.]

Greetings from Colorado!

As I was ordering tune-up parts for my '51 Hornet 308, I came across a disturbing fact. In the local NAPA parts book, they list Hudson distributors up to 1950, skip 1951 and continue with 1952. In the factory Hudson manual, they list the distributor as an Autolite IAT 4009A. The Hollander Parts Interchange Manual lists 1951 All 6 cylinder except Pacemaker IAT 4009A with NO interchange with other manufacturers/years.

My questions. What is so special about the the 1951 that it takes a "unique" distributor? Can distributors from other 308's/years be used in the '51 engine? If so, are any modifications required?

As a note, I did order a Pertronix Ignitor module for the '51 and the catalog lists 1955-1950 6 all models IAT Series Autolite part # 1362 [12volt negative ground].

I would like to have a spare distributor and was wondering if I could use the one out of my '53 parts car...

George T.

[bobbydamit]

I have had PACEMAKERS, and all the other Models of 50 -54 combind and have never had a problem interchanging the distributers. The only thing I can think of is maybe the 262/308 block is different from the 232 in the dist. area and it needs to have a given length shaft for each. I have never done much with 232's so don't know and the Pacemaker was usually a 232. Let us know.

[Ken U-Tx]

The IAT 4009A was used in the 308 and 262 motors from '51 thru 54. Same points, cap and rotor used. IAT 4009 was used in the 232 motor, only difference was the cetrifugal and vacumn advance in degrees, to suit the shorter stroke, higher reving characteristics of the 232. Again the 4009 and 4009A used the same points, cap and rotor.

[bobbydamit]

The IAT 4009A was used in the 308 and 262 motors from '51 thru 54. Same points, cap and rotor used. IAT 4009 was used in the 232 motor, only difference was the cetrifugal and vacumn advance in degrees, to suit the shorter stroke, higher reving characteristics of the 232. Again the 4009 and 4009A used the same points, cap and rotor.

Hi Ken, so what is the difference, if any, in the 232 and the 262/308 blocks.
Oh and how is the red 54 Hornet looking these days??

[hudsonkid]

For some dumb reason, I think Hudsondad's 52 wasp is running a pacemaker distributor in it, and pretty much, this is either how he bought it and left it in like that when he rebuilt it about 20 years (gosh, even I feel old saying that....) or he put it in when he was doing the rebuild. All I know is it seems to run petty well. I don't know if it would make a difference in terms of performance, but the car indeed runs real well.

He would have to add to this, and either confirm or deny whether this is the case. But again, i am pretty sure that's the case.

[hudsondad]

My 52 Wasp has a pacemaker distributor in it and runs fine. The only difference I'm aware of is the advance. We rebuilt the original 262 almost 20 years ago, and don't remember the exact reason for changing the distributor, except that the original one might have had some wear or looseness.

[Ken U-Tx]

232/ 262 blocks are identical, bores are same at 3-9/16". 308 block can be identified visually by the extra longitudal ribs on each side of block just above the oilpan flange, this was to add stiffness for the longer stroke crank. Bore is 1/4" over the 232/ 262. Red '53 (not 54) Hornet is fine, just doesn't get driven much these days.