On a 57-59 distributor, what holds the plate that the points sit on ? 
Thanks



54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

If its the same as Passenger Cars (I think it uses same roller bearing Plate) there are 3 Brackets around the Edge that are held in place by Screws through the Housing.

  

A 57 - 59 distributor will be the ball bearing plate held in place by 2 retainers secured with a screw entering from the out side, opposite one another. I'll try to post a pic from another thread.


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

It is the ball bearing plate.  I took those off, the plate doesn't want to move (it does turn).  Just more muscle?  Don't want to break anything


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

The only thing holding the Plate is those Clips. Try soaking around the Edge with penetrating Oil. The Plate is a pretty tight fit.

  

Mark is correct on the two screws holding the plate.
Remove the two screws and c clip on the arm that hold the vacuum advance to the distributor body. After removing the vacuum advance turn the distributor over you will see a hole on the underside of the distributor feed a pin punch or small sized bolt up to the bottom of the plate while turning the shaft to clear the weights. tap lightly you may have to pull the punch and rotate the shaft so punch drives opposite side of plate to top of distributor. work back and forth plate will come clear.
 

It's easy for the breaker plate assembly to become cocked into the distributor housing. Make sure it's seated all the way in, then install 2 long screws into the top side and try manipulating the plate with the long screws. The plate is a very close fit but not a press fit. This has worked or me, hope this helps.............


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Make sure you reinstall the grounding wire from the distributor housing to the plate.  This wire is often missing.  Without it, grounding takes place through the ball bearings causing erratic issues.

Thanks everyone


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ