The Ford Barn

Jason in TX · 03-21-2012, 02:31 PM

Hello. Trying to change out the diver's helmet on my 1940 Ford engine for a crab style distributor. I have located a 2 bolt front timing cover.

Can I just change the timing cover, and then bolt the crab on and go, or will I run into needing some kind of "button" or something on the end of the cam shaft?

Thanks for your help!
Jason

FlatheadTed · 03-21-2012, 02:41 PM

Yes you can swap it but you will need a spacer to bring the two bolt out about 5/16 these can purchased from the vendors .

Jason in TX · 03-21-2012, 02:47 PM

Hmmm... Well, I also have a 3 bolt to 2 bolt conversion plate located. Should I just go that route?

I saw on Dick Spadero's website that he provides both spacers. I actually already have his 3 to 2 bolt spacer ordered through Bubba's along with one of Bubba's rebuilt distributors, so I guess I'll just stay that route, rather than changing the front plate, changing my order, and having to buy a different adapter.

I had located a two bolt cover and had just wondered if that was going to be easier than having to use the adapter. Seems like an adapter is still necessary.

FlatheadTed · 03-21-2012, 03:16 PM

It depends what cam is in there, early cams would need the 3 bolt to 2 plate .

Bruce Lancaster · 03-21-2012, 03:26 PM

You might have an early long cam, you might have a late short cam with spacer button...this is common in early engines because most available cams for many years have been the short one. Only way to be sure is to grab the nose of the cam with pliers and pull!

FlatheadTed · 03-21-2012, 03:45 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

As I see it the front cover 2 bolt brought the dizzy out about 5/16 ,So if your 3 bolt fits right up, then a two bolt should with no adapter ,What say you Bruce ??

Jason in TX · 03-21-2012, 04:16 PM

Cam says 5-T on the front... Does that help? Not really getting a good bite on it with the pliers, but nothing is moving when I try.

FlatheadTed · 03-21-2012, 05:02 PM

The 5 T truck cam I have is the same lenght as the 3bolt cam so the front cover should work.

Ol' Ron · 03-21-2012, 05:29 PM

The 5-T cam is the standard Ford cam used in all 59 series engines which were supplied with the two bolt cover. Dhould be a boltup. A good way to prove this is to measure the distance from the surface of the distributor surface and the block using a straighr edge across the distributoe pad to a block surfade the cover bolts up to.

Brian · 03-21-2012, 07:08 PM

The 5T cam also was supplied in the earlier engines [long cam] Suggest you try fitting up your crab dissy using the three bolt to two bolt adapter, with your existing setup

JM 35 Sedan · 03-22-2012, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlatheadTed

As I see it the front cover 2 bolt brought the dizzy out about 5/16 ,So if your 3 bolt fits right up, then a two bolt should with no adapter ,What say you Bruce ??

Ted, I'm not Bruce

but I can tell you for sure that the two bolt timing gear cover did not bring you out 5/16". It puts you exactly where you were with the three bolt cover relative to mounting face for distributor. It's the length of the cams used with the 2 or 3 bolt covers plus the length at the back of the different distributors (back of mounting flange to key that fits in cam slot) that makes the difference.

JM 35 Sedan · 03-22-2012, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason in TX

Hmmm... Well, I also have a 3 bolt to 2 bolt conversion plate located. Should I just go that route?

I saw on Dick Spadero's website that he provides both spacers. I actually already have his 3 to 2 bolt spacer ordered through Bubba's along with one of Bubba's rebuilt distributors, so I guess I'll just stay that route, rather than changing the front plate, changing my order, and having to buy a different adapter.

I had located a two bolt cover and had just wondered if that was going to be easier than having to use the adapter. Seems like an adapter is still necessary.

Don't waste your money and time changing to a two bolt timing gear cover. The 3 to 2 bolt adapter will put that crab distributor right where it wants to be assuming you have the original long cam. Then later if you want to change back to your original helmet distributor you just remove the crab and spacer and bolt your original helmet back in place. This way you can install the crab and keep helmet distributor with you as your road spare. JMO

Bruce Lancaster · 03-22-2012, 10:08 AM

The extra difference in the fitup is that the crab has a longer casting protrusion on the back where the drive tab is...
So, IF you find you have a short cam, 2 hole front is neatest way.
If cam is original long, either of Dick Spadaro's solutions are the way to go.

03-21-2012, 02:31 PM	#1
Jason in TX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ⓉⒺXⒶⓈ Posts: 2,047	Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? Hello. Trying to change out the diver's helmet on my 1940 Ford engine for a crab style distributor. I have located a 2 bolt front timing cover. Can I just change the timing cover, and then bolt the crab on and go, or will I run into needing some kind of "button" or something on the end of the cam shaft? Thanks for your help! Jason __________________ -------------- Drive it like you know how to fix it! DMAFC / OILERS CC-MC

03-21-2012, 02:41 PM	#2
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? Yes you can swap it but you will need a spacer to bring the two bolt out about 5/16 these can purchased from the vendors . __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

03-21-2012, 02:47 PM	#3
Jason in TX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ⓉⒺXⒶⓈ Posts: 2,047	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? Hmmm... Well, I also have a 3 bolt to 2 bolt conversion plate located. Should I just go that route? I saw on Dick Spadero's website that he provides both spacers. I actually already have his 3 to 2 bolt spacer ordered through Bubba's along with one of Bubba's rebuilt distributors, so I guess I'll just stay that route, rather than changing the front plate, changing my order, and having to buy a different adapter. I had located a two bolt cover and had just wondered if that was going to be easier than having to use the adapter. Seems like an adapter is still necessary. __________________ -------------- Drive it like you know how to fix it! DMAFC / OILERS CC-MC Last edited by Jason in TX; 03-21-2012 at 02:56 PM.

03-21-2012, 03:16 PM	#4
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? It depends what cam is in there, early cams would need the 3 bolt to 2 plate . __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

03-21-2012, 03:26 PM	#5
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? You might have an early long cam, you might have a late short cam with spacer button...this is common in early engines because most available cams for many years have been the short one. Only way to be sure is to grab the nose of the cam with pliers and pull!

03-21-2012, 03:45 PM	#6
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As I see it the front cover 2 bolt brought the dizzy out about 5/16 ,So if your 3 bolt fits right up, then a two bolt should with no adapter ,What say you Bruce ?? __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

03-21-2012, 04:16 PM	#7
Jason in TX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ⓉⒺXⒶⓈ Posts: 2,047	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? Cam says 5-T on the front... Does that help? Not really getting a good bite on it with the pliers, but nothing is moving when I try. __________________ -------------- Drive it like you know how to fix it! DMAFC / OILERS CC-MC

03-21-2012, 05:02 PM	#8
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? The 5 T truck cam I have is the same lenght as the 3bolt cam so the front cover should work. __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

03-21-2012, 05:29 PM	#9
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,861	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? The 5-T cam is the standard Ford cam used in all 59 series engines which were supplied with the two bolt cover. Dhould be a boltup. A good way to prove this is to measure the distance from the surface of the distributor surface and the block using a straighr edge across the distributoe pad to a block surfade the cover bolts up to.

03-21-2012, 07:08 PM	#10
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,835	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? The 5T cam also was supplied in the earlier engines [long cam] Suggest you try fitting up your crab dissy using the three bolt to two bolt adapter, with your existing setup

03-22-2012, 10:08 AM	#13
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Can I swap a 3 bolt timing cover for a 2 bolt and go, or is there more to it? The extra difference in the fitup is that the crab has a longer casting protrusion on the back where the drive tab is... So, IF you find you have a short cam, 2 hole front is neatest way. If cam is original long, either of Dick Spadaro's solutions are the way to go.