3 bolt to 2 bolt distributor adapter

[Jakno]

Would like to purchase a crab style distributor for my 59A 24 stud engine. Need a 2 to 3 bolt adapter on timing cover. Speed Way, VanPelt and Joe's Antiques are out of them and everything is backordered.
Has anyone purchased one lately ?. ........... Thanks

[dean333]

I need one too..

[cas3]

when you get one, check the fit before thinking you are ready to bolt it down. mine, and others, have had to file off a bit...i think the corner of the vacuum boss, i forget, but look it over.

[TJ]

Check with Third Gen Automotive, C and G Parts, or All Ford Parts.

[Mart]

I just fitted one and I did file the corner of the vacuum boss off. I bought mine 10 years ago so can't help on supplier.

[BirchRidge]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I’ve sandcast my own in aluminum but since I’m in Sweden I guess that’s to no help

[Kube]

Here's a super nice one that you can count on fitting properly.

eBay item number:124637088858

[2935ford]

Not to hijack but for information.
Can you use a 2 bolt plate instead of the 3 bolt plate or is there more to it than that?

[Charlie ny]

#8...the crab is deeper so even with a 2 bolt cover you'll still need a spacer.
Charlie ny

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 2935ford

Not to hijack but for information.
Can you use a 2 bolt plate instead of the 3 bolt plate or is there more to it than that?

There's more to it than that. The shaft on the distributor that engages the end of the camshaft is longer on '42 - '48 distributors. Thus, the need to "space" it away from the cam.

[2935ford]

Thanks all. Great help.
Now I know.

[Mart]

Re using a 2 bolt plate. Yes you can, but you need a spacer to set the distributer out by the difference between a short cam and a long cam. It's a bit simpler than the 3 to 2 bolt adaptor.

[Gary in La.]

I'm confused. The OP stated he is looking for a crab dist for his 59A engine. The 59A engine has a crab dist standard unless somebody installed an early 3 bolt front cover.

[35fordtn]

Originally Posted by Gary in La.

I'm confused. The OP stated he is looking for a crab dist for his 59A engine. The 59A engine has a crab dist standard unless somebody installed an early 3 bolt front cover.

My thoughts exactly. It must not truly be a 59A, maybe a 39-41 24 stud?

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Kube

Here's a super nice one that you can count on fitting properly.

eBay item number:124637088858

Ha! I saw that one last night!! Click the link below for a GOOD chuckle!!! DD


https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...88858&_sacat=0

[Jakno]

This is the timing cover and Helmet Distributor on my 59A engine. I,m not sure of the year other than it is a 24 stud engine. I bought it "as is " and am attempting to get it running with a reconditioned crab distributor

thanks for all the help and information

[39portlander]

Sending a pm with address, thinking your fairly close by...I got one of those kicking around in my V8 pile-O-parts.

Probably will not use it on my pigpen flathead project so hope to help you get yours running. Scott

[39portlander]

Some pictures of my adapter on the "pigpen", will get it mailed out to you Jake.

Makes it especially nice knowing it will contribute to keeping a Walt Dupont built Flathead running again

[Mart]

You can see the area of the vac port that needs filing. It's very close to the hex on the vac brake.

[Charlie ny]

Jake,
Check your e mail....I found adapters as well.
Charlie ny

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by Jakno

This is the timing cover and Helmet Distributor on my 59A engine. I,m not sure of the year other than it is a 24 stud engine. I bought it "as is " and am attempting to get it running with a reconditioned crab distributor

thanks for all the help and information

The picture shows this is obviously not a 59A engine, but earlier style. At least from the picture of the cam.

[cas3]

I have seen several 59 blocks with 3 bolt helmet covers on them. It could be a dealer replacement motor using your old ignition sysytem, i dont know. some of the 59's are 221 CI too

[GaryU.]

I had a 59 engine fitted with a 3 bolt cover a few years ago, had the button between cam and distributor.

[flatjack9]

It's easy to change the cover, but the picture shows an early cam in the engine. Of course this could also have been changed. Need to do the "pencil" test.

[Mart]

Fwiw the 59A I bought recently had a long nose cam and 3 bolt cover. What parts have been swapped over the years can not be anticipated.

[JayChicago]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by GaryU.

I had a 59 engine fitted with a 3 bolt cover a few years ago, had the button between cam and distributor.

That's what I found to be in the '37 I bought recently. I've been curious why a three bolt cover on a 59 engine? Was pro-built by Motor City Flatheads. Maybe they did this because customer was putting it in a '37, so was set up for a helmet??

But then a fat aluminum radiator/electric fan left no room for a helmet distributor. So now is back to a crab, an aftermarket Mallory three-bolt crab, which needs the cam extension button for the short camshaft in the 59 engine.

To original poster: I think that Mallory three bolt crab would be a direct bolt-on for you. But it has a bright aluminum case, so would jump out as an obvious modern aftermarket piece.

[Jakno]

Thanks to everyone who has provided thoughts and information regarding installing a crab distributor on What I believe is my 59 A, 24 stud engine which I bought with a helmet distributor and 3 bolt timing cover. I have never ran this engine so I'm not positive if the helmet distributor even worked but I can get no spark from it on the bench.
I realize this motor could be a collection of parts from different years and trying to narrow it down to what's on it now vs what should be on the motor for it's year can be difficult or impossible.
My question now is if I'm willing to change the timing cover, a helmet or crab dizzy, add a spacer or a adapter what's the best option to make this engine run.
The other thing I've discovered is that MillWorks sells a electronic 6volt distributor with either a 2 bolt or 3 bolt install. I'm not real fond of installing this if I can get a crab distributor from Charlie/NY and make my truck go down the road59A piston std 09T.jpg

59 engine number.jpg

59A Right Side.jpg

59 cam shaft nose.jpg

[Jakno]

Couple more pictures

[cas3]

Get the crab from charlie, and stay away from the modern thing would be the way i would go. good luck with the project

[fortyonerag]

Originally Posted by Mart

You can see the area of the vac port that needs filing. It's very close to the hex on the vac brake.

Many thanks for that. Much appreciated.

[Bored&Stroked]

The cam you have is a long-nose cam - it sticks out about 5/16 to 3/8" more than the later cam that was used in 59X engines with the 2-bolt style distributors. So, you can go to a 2-bolt distributor if you space it out, or you can get really busy and put the later cam in it, run the 2-bolt cover and bolt the crab right to it. Obviously changing out the cam is a bit of an effort . . . so the spacer is the easiest way to go by far.

[Jakno]

Thanks for all the advice which I did heed. I was lucky to find a 2-3 bolt spacer from soportlander and purchase a crab distributor from Charlie/NY. Should be able to have it running by the end of the week.