Distributor for a 8BA

[Deadforty]

Currently building an 8BA bored .040 over, with Max 1 cam, two deuces, headers to go in my '40. Trying to figure out what distributor to go with, as what I have read on here, the stock one won't cut it.

[JSeery]

The converted Chevy ones work well. Several members here on the Barn convert them. Babba is one as is Charlie NY. And maybe Third Generation.

[51504bat]

Buba and charlieny are were the 2 premiere guys to convert a Chevy distributor for a flathead. Buba is no longer doing them due to health issues. That leaves charlieny and his reputation is spot on. He is in the process of doing a run of conversions right now. If it were me I'd get in touch with him and get one on order. Of course there are other options and opinions.

[tubman]

If having a SBC distributor converted, consider a "flattop" Mallory. They are still available for a reasonable price (on eBay even), work well, and look good!

(When you can't make 400 HP these days, the only alternative is looking good.)

[Deadforty]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to check with Charleyny about his timeline. Also was wondering if anyone has used the new Mallory distributor offered by Speedway or Summit. I guess the Pertronix conversion is a bust too ?

[51504bat]

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Originally Posted by Deadforty

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to check with Charleyny about his timeline. Also was wondering if anyone has used the new Mallory distributor offered by Speedway or Summit. I guess the Pertronix conversion is a bust too ?

I converted the Loadamatic in my stock 8ba with a Pertronix and I didn't have any issues with it. I replaced it with a Buba mechanical advance Chevy conversion when I was considering modifying the engine with dual carbs, etc. Never did but the Chevy conversion works great. That in combination with a charlieny rebuilt 94 makes the 8ba run like a top.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Deadforty

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to check with Charleyny about his timeline. Also was wondering if anyone has used the new Mallory distributor offered by Speedway or Summit. I guess the Pertronix conversion is a bust too ?

I had a couple of these and they work well. One thing that you have to do is check the total advance that comes in the distributor. Lately, they have been coming with SBC advance curves, which at around 36 degrees,total, is way too much for a flathead. If you find this to be the case, it can easily limited to the required 22-26 degrees.

That being said, I haven't used one for several years, so who knows what's been coming out of China lately.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

I have stopped doing the chevrolet conversion , sold everything delco to charlie will still do helmets and crabs later i hope as health improves ..


Info here

http://www.bubbasignition.com/loadam...lacements.html

[Ol' Ron]

There is only one reason to replace the stock original distributor. Modifying the intake system. The original in proper working order works quite well on both 5 and 12 v. And a petronics conversion will nly replace the points.
When changing the intake system, including a camshaft, the original distributor cannot provide the proper advance curves under all load conditions. The converted SBC distributer, weather with a points or electronic output, can be taylored to your needs.

[Aarongriffey]

Taylored how Ron?
According to the factory manual I found it says maximum advance is 11 degrees!?
Is that enough advance? 11 degrees?
When I screen the 8 RT. In my pickup that’s just what the max comes to 11 degrees.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by Aarongriffey

Taylored how Ron?
According to the factory manual I found it says maximum advance is 11 degrees!?
Is that enough advance? 11 degrees?
When I screen the 8 RT. In my pickup that’s just what the max comes to 11 degrees.

11distributor is 22 degrees engine
22 degrees advance and is a good spec to go by .

[Ol' Ron]

A talored ignition advance, is one that meete the requirements of the engine under various load conditions. For example, under hard acceleration, you only need 18/20 degs advance. However, in cruse, you might need 28 degs. It also depends on the modifications you've made to the engine. Is it stock, or a 294 bullet. Or something in between. The only distributor on tee market today that meets these requirements is: the SBC distributor, with adjustable Mechinacle and Vacuum advance. It also doesn't matter if it's got points or electronic coil control.

[flatjack9]

Any mechanical advance system is by nature a compromise. Some are better than others. A truly tailored system would be computer driven.

[Aarongriffey]

Thanks Ron. I really appreciate your post. I like my stock distributor better now.
I meant to write,”when I screem the engine”. With timing light on it at high RPMs the timing reads about 11 degreees Before Top Dead Center. I got a new advance unit at NAPA In 2015.
I got a post from Bubba that says the 11 degrees means 11 distributor degrees.
But even with a vacuum pump on the advance unit I only get about 11 or 12 on the crank pulley. I advanced it about 5 degrees and it has good power at speed gets 10 miles per gallon empty.
I’m gonna consider getting a distributor from Bubba.

[JSeery]

Somethings sure is not correct, but at least your getting into the 16-17 degree range. Could be the distributor advance or it could be an issue with the carburetor vacuum source. Converted distributor or rebuilt original would sure be an improvement.

[Phil Gillespie]

If you are running 2 carbs with a stock loadomatic distributor on your set up you probably will not get an difference in advance as loadomatic isvaccum advance only.
Need the Chev type set up with mechanical and vaccum advance.
Phil NZ

[JSeery]

Phil, Loadomatic is vacuum advance only, no mechanical advance. I just noticed the two carbs, very unlikely the loadomatic is working correctly with this setup. What is the vacuum source? What carbs are being used?

[Phil Gillespie]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Phil, Loadomatic is vacuum advance only, no mechanical advance. I just noticed the two carbs, very unlikely the loadomatic is working correctly with this setup. What is the vacuum source? What carbs are being used?

Just corrected my error changed to vaccum advance only.
My oversight.Wrong info not productive.
Phil NZ

[Ol' Ron]

Yes a computer system is best, But??????

[Deadforty]

Thanks for all the good comments about the distributor. Dropped a check in the mail this am to Charlieny.