The Ford Barn

WestCoast · 09-18-2015, 10:09 PM

for you guys still fighting with the helmet dist, Speed Way makes a cam gear cover that lets you run a 49 dist on the earlier engines

JSeery · 09-18-2015, 11:12 PM

I would think the 49 and later distributor would be a lot harder to deal with than the front mount unless you were going to the chevy converted distributor. You would have to use the carb that matched the distributor for the stock set up and you would have to establish a timing mark. With all of that I would still think it is a poorer distributor than the dual point front mounts.

tubman · 09-19-2015, 04:55 AM

I think anyone entertaining this kind of change would also be the type to go to an updated distributor rather than a "Load-a-matic". I'm sure Speedway would be glad to sell you a matched set (with a Chevy advance curve, of course). What do they use for a drive gear? I would think they would have to offer it as a complete system.

(Edit : This intrigued me, so I went to the Speedway site and can't find it; do you have a link or maybe a part number?)

Walt Dupont--Me. · 09-19-2015, 07:36 AM

That 8BA adapter for the front of the 59ab cam is no big deal, I made one for a 58ab 276 in my 40, just bolt on an 8ba front cover, make a place for the set screw to lock the dist, I used an old 8ba style malory 2 part cap dist on mine. I think there is a pic it in Speedway cat, I havevn't got time to look to look. Walt

34fordy · 09-19-2015, 08:39 AM

I can not understand why anyone would have to "fight" the helmet distributors--I believe they are wonderful and work best on the early flatheads--Also easy to have a spare set up and ready to go--Just unbolt the one and install the other--No messing with a timing light either--

Ol' Ron · 09-19-2015, 08:45 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yes this is an old idea. I know some one makes this adapter and an 8BA front cover fits perfectly and a converted chevy dist will gove you the best timing curve for both power and economy. Plus you can use it with any kind of carburetor you can dream up.

WestCoast · 09-19-2015, 06:20 PM

tubman, a pic of it is on page 274 of speedways catalog #502

51 MERC-CT · 09-19-2015, 08:38 PM

See here----

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Offenhauser-Flathead-Ford-Early-to-Late-Drive-Gear,25039.html
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Offenhauser-Flathead-Ford-Timing-Cover,25038.html

deuce_roadster · 09-19-2015, 09:45 PM

Helmet, crab or 46-48 distributor is superior in my opinion to a 49-53 loadmatic. Would never make that switch.

09-18-2015, 10:09 PM	#1
WestCoast Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: oroville calif Posts: 893	distributor for you guys still fighting with the helmet dist, Speed Way makes a cam gear cover that lets you run a 49 dist on the earlier engines

09-18-2015, 11:12 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: distributor I would think the 49 and later distributor would be a lot harder to deal with than the front mount unless you were going to the chevy converted distributor. You would have to use the carb that matched the distributor for the stock set up and you would have to establish a timing mark. With all of that I would still think it is a poorer distributor than the dual point front mounts.

09-19-2015, 04:55 AM	#3
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: distributor I think anyone entertaining this kind of change would also be the type to go to an updated distributor rather than a "Load-a-matic". I'm sure Speedway would be glad to sell you a matched set (with a Chevy advance curve, of course). What do they use for a drive gear? I would think they would have to offer it as a complete system. (Edit : This intrigued me, so I went to the Speedway site and can't find it; do you have a link or maybe a part number?) Last edited by tubman; 09-19-2015 at 05:02 AM.

09-19-2015, 07:36 AM	#4
Walt Dupont--Me. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gardiner Me. Posts: 4,200	Re: distributor That 8BA adapter for the front of the 59ab cam is no big deal, I made one for a 58ab 276 in my 40, just bolt on an 8ba front cover, make a place for the set screw to lock the dist, I used an old 8ba style malory 2 part cap dist on mine. I think there is a pic it in Speedway cat, I havevn't got time to look to look. Walt

09-19-2015, 08:45 AM	#6
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: distributor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yes this is an old idea. I know some one makes this adapter and an 8BA front cover fits perfectly and a converted chevy dist will gove you the best timing curve for both power and economy. Plus you can use it with any kind of carburetor you can dream up.

09-19-2015, 08:39 AM	#5
34fordy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort dodge, Iowa Posts: 825	Re: distributor I can not understand why anyone would have to "fight" the helmet distributors--I believe they are wonderful and work best on the early flatheads--Also easy to have a spare set up and ready to go--Just unbolt the one and install the other--No messing with a timing light either--

09-19-2015, 06:20 PM	#7
WestCoast Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: oroville calif Posts: 893	Re: distributor tubman, a pic of it is on page 274 of speedways catalog #502

09-19-2015, 08:38 PM	#8
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: distributor See here---- http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Offenhauser-Flathead-Ford-Early-to-Late-Drive-Gear,25039.html http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Offenhauser-Flathead-Ford-Timing-Cover,25038.html __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

09-19-2015, 09:45 PM	#9
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: distributor Helmet, crab or 46-48 distributor is superior in my opinion to a 49-53 loadmatic. Would never make that switch.