distributor on 53 f-100

[flathead 53]

I converted my 53 f-100 with 51 merc flathead to twelve volts , I also installed A pertronix distributor , should the vacuum advance from the distributor be hooked up to the manifold vacuum or the port on the holley 94 carb.

[tubman]

Manifold vacuum. If you do get this installed, please check the advance curve. Years ago, I had the "high-zoot" MSD setup on the 276" Merc I had in my '36 3 window. It was never quite right and always ran hot. Back in those days, I didn't know what I was doing and I got sick and tired of it, so when a local guy "made me an offer I couldn't refuse", I sold it. After chasing the problem for a while, he and his mechanic determined that the MSD unit was built with an SBC advance curve (36 degrees total), which is way too much for a flathead.

A session on a distributor setup machine, some stops, springs and weights finally solved the problem.

I will advise against using one of these. The one I had produced a spark so hot that it would "eat" the tower for the coil wire in a month or two. I would suggest an SBC distributor (either a stock unit or better yet a flattop Mallory) and have Charlie Schwendler in New York convert it for you.

[Charlesauer]

Great job on the conversion! For your setup with the PerTronix distributor, it's generally recommended to connect the vacuum advance to the manifold vacuum. This provides a stronger vacuum signal, which is better suited for the PerTronix distributor and helps improve drivability and fuel efficiency.

However, it's always a good idea to double-check the specific instructions or recommendations from PerTronix for your particular model. If you're still unsure, reaching out to PerTronix customer support can provide you with the most accurate guidance.

[tubman]

Wait a second, although he says "Pertronix Distributor" in his post, is that really what he has, or is it just a conversion in the stock distributor? (I ask this because I don't think Pertronix makes a complete flathead distributor.) If it's only a conversion in the stock distributor, it still uses the "Load-A-Matic" advance and requires the vacuum off the back of the carb.

EDIT : A GOOGLE search yields such an animal, so I'm probably wrong, However, let's make sure we know exactly what we're dealing with before we start offering solutions..

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by flathead 53

I converted my 53 f-100 with 51 merc flathead to twelve volts , I also installed A pertronix distributor , should the vacuum advance from the distributor be hooked up to the manifold vacuum or the port on the holley 94 carb.

The loadomatic vacuum signal from the 94 is very low, around 6"Hg max, so manifold vacuum is your only choice for the Pertronix's vacuum advance.

Be sure to match the the coil resistance with the distributor module; 1,2 or 3, and follow their wiring instructions. You probably have a 11 which requires a .6 ohm coil.


I run 12 gauge wiring from ignition to coil, with an additional ground from the hold down bolt to battery ground, on my Mallory and Pertronix electronic distributors to ensure good grounding.

[pistonbroke]

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I know from first hand experience that a loadomatic will not work corectly hooked up to manifold vacume. it needs to be conected to the port on the carb . if you have the corect carb and distributor it will work fine. If you hook in to direct manifold vacume you will get a very lumpy advance curve an a high to hot engine temp. If you tink I'm wrong hook up a vacume gauge to each port and drive the vehicle. You will see the signals are totaly different. Tim

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by pistonbroke

I know from first hand experience that a loadomatic will not work corectly hooked up to manifold vacume. it needs to be conected to the port on the carb . if you have the corect carb and distributor it will work fine. If you hook in to direct manifold vacume you will get a very lumpy advance curve an a high to hot engine temp. If you tink I'm wrong hook up a vacume gauge to each port and drive the vehicle. You will see the signals are totaly different. Tim

Tim, re-read my post. The loadomatic has been replaced.

[flathead 53]

the distributor is A pertronix ,speedway sells them also summit sells them ,they are 12 volt only.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by flathead 53

the distributor is A pertronix ,speedway sells them also summit sells them ,they are 12 volt only.

Thank you for clarifying te situation.