The Ford Barn

Hotrodvideo · 09-04-2010, 10:40 PM

Do I need an adapter to put a crab style distributor on a '38 flathead?
The only adapter I've seen is from Speedway but their catalog says it's for putting a '37 thru '41 dizzy on a '42 thru '48 engine.

Ed Pitts · 09-04-2010, 10:57 PM

Yes, you do need an adapter. This is where I got mine. Good folks. Ed

http://www.thepitstopgary.com/pricelist.html

Adapter/Spacer plate to use 2-bolt 21A (crab type) distributor on 32-41 engines$55.00

Jim Arnold · 09-04-2010, 11:01 PM

Yes, you will need an adapter to space out the 42 - 48 distributor if you are using the original '38 cam and this adapter also converts the three bolt timing gear cover to allow mounting of the two bolt distributor. See photo.

Hotrodvideo · 09-04-2010, 11:26 PM

But I have the 2 bolt front cover also so I would just need the button adapter for the cam??

oldford2 · 09-05-2010, 05:50 AM

Not the "button" adaptor. Use the spacer plate as Ed Pitts described. When using the 2 bolt cover the cam "sticks out too far" (approx 7/16) so you need the spacer plate. Dick Spadora sells them also. Call him and he will answer all your questions before you order. John

36coupe3w · 09-05-2010, 06:33 AM

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There are 3 lengths of cam ends on the dist.side. With the adapter it will make up the dist approx. 7/16 on an inch shortness. That would would with the earlier cam length. Then the other version that would require a buttom adapter. The final cam would require nothing. All Ford flathead cams will interchange. The problem lies iin the timing cover . block and dist.
As stated before Dick Spadaro carries the dist adapter, contact him for what you need .
Good luck Bill

09-04-2010, 10:40 PM	#1
Hotrodvideo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 316	Dizzy adapter Do I need an adapter to put a crab style distributor on a '38 flathead? The only adapter I've seen is from Speedway but their catalog says it's for putting a '37 thru '41 dizzy on a '42 thru '48 engine.

09-04-2010, 10:57 PM	#2
Ed Pitts Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Irving, Texas Posts: 598	Re: Dizzy adapter Yes, you do need an adapter. This is where I got mine. Good folks. Ed http://www.thepitstopgary.com/pricelist.html Adapter/Spacer plate to use 2-bolt 21A (crab type) distributor on 32-41 engines$55.00

09-04-2010, 11:26 PM	#4
Hotrodvideo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 316	Re: Dizzy adapter But I have the 2 bolt front cover also so I would just need the button adapter for the cam??

09-05-2010, 05:50 AM	#5
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,086	Re: Dizzy adapter Not the "button" adaptor. Use the spacer plate as Ed Pitts described. When using the 2 bolt cover the cam "sticks out too far" (approx 7/16) so you need the spacer plate. Dick Spadora sells them also. Call him and he will answer all your questions before you order. John

09-05-2010, 06:33 AM	#6
36coupe3w Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 82	Re: Dizzy adapter Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There are 3 lengths of cam ends on the dist.side. With the adapter it will make up the dist approx. 7/16 on an inch shortness. That would would with the earlier cam length. Then the other version that would require a buttom adapter. The final cam would require nothing. All Ford flathead cams will interchange. The problem lies iin the timing cover . block and dist. As stated before Dick Spadaro carries the dist adapter, contact him for what you need . Good luck Bill