[tubman]

Looks aside, Ford engineers improved the 8BA in several ways over the earlier units. Cooling probably being the most significant. If you replace the stock "Load-a-Matic" distributor with a Mallory dual point or a converted GM distributor, it will provide a superior ignition system that has the added advantage of being much easier to service.

I believe that the use of an early '50's Mercury clutch will facilitate this swap.

Also, for the best possible fitment, pre-'41 vehicles need a spacer under the front mounts, even with truck pumps.