8ba block

[Fatheads4ever]

Hi guys.. will a crab distributor work on a 8ba engine?

[Ken/Alabama]

It will but not without a lot of work and some changes.

[Fatheads4ever]

I'm thinking the timing cover and the gears from my c59a would need to swapped over

[big deuce]

Different cam... means teardown.

[mcgarrett]

Not sure I understand - what is to be gained by making this change?

[19Fordy]

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Here's a photo of an 8BA with crab distributor in my friend's 40 built by Mark Kirby (RIP) many years ago. It allowed for the installation of A/C compressor. I recall the cam had to be changed.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Here's a photo of an 8BA with crab distributor in my friend's 40 built by Mark Kirby (RIP) many years ago. It allowed for the installation of A/C compressor. I recall the cam had to be changed.

[19Fordy]

Thanks very much Pete.

[Fatheads4ever]

That engine looks like a earlier motor withe the water outlets in the center of the heads.

[Fatheads4ever]

I can get a 8ba short block without the distributor.
But I have a c59a engine complete.
I also think the crab with its HT cabling looks far more athletic in my opinion.. just saying.

[joel]

Does the c59A run? Does it need rebuilt? Why don't you want to use it?

[Fatheads4ever]

Yes the c59a runs fine despite a crack between a intake valve seat and the bore in cylinder 7.

[19Fordy]

It's a later block with early style heads like this one.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

It's a later block with early style heads like this one.

[19Fordy]

Thanks Pete. Your enlargements always look so good.