1949 Mercury needs a Distributor

[1962300]

I bought a '49 Mercury with its stock motor, a pair of 97's, aluminum heads and a ..... Chevy Distributor? I don't know what that thing is doing in there, but when the car was built in the mid 80's they must have thought it was a good idea.

I would like to replace the distributor with a stock flathead style distributor, yet convert to the electronic ignition set up.

Anyone have suggestions of what vendor to buy one from?
Thanks!

[Fe26]

The Chevy distributor is a popular addition to flatheads.

Probably the best course of action is to contact Bubba, he is Fordbarns ignition guru. Among the many things he does, he converts Chevy distributors to work on flatheads.

If by chance you find you have one of Bubbas converstions and you still want to go with the original, shoot me a PM if you want to sell that unoriginal old chevy disturber.

[Ol' Ron]

If you go back to the Load a matic Ford distributor, you'll have to remove the dual carbs, The GM distributor is a vast improvement over the ford unit.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

I can build you a load a matic orginal distributor with pertronix , however it wont work very well with the twin carb set up.
The load a matic unit uses a vacuum only advance ( low venturi vacuum) hooked to the carb base.
The chevrolet conversion gives you full mechanical advance and works very well in the flathead.

Just give me a call 317-487-9460 always glad to help..

[Dale Fairfax]

That Chevy distributor is the best thing that ever happened to your Merc.

[Deuce Man]

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DALE I second the motion. The stock distributor is designed to work off venturi vacuum, no provision for this on stromberg carbs. If you try manifold vacuum you will be very disappoined.Call Bubba, he has it down to a science. Rich

[1962300]

So does this mean that since my Chevy Distributor Vacuum Advance Can is NOT hooked up, I am OK? The 1949 Merc. motor is .30 Over with a 3/4 Isky Cam and runs great....but figured the Vacuum Advance Can should be hooked up, no??
Thanks!

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Vacuum advance is good for most engines but very hard to tune with dual carbs , cams etc.
If the car doesnt have a problem enjoy it . Just the fact that the dual carbs and the chevy conversion work is a very good thing to have...

[Bruce Compton, Canada]

Your Chevy distributor needs manifold vacuum to operate properly and combined with it's mechanical advance will make your flatty run fine with reasonable fuel economy. The original Ford "loadamatic" distributor needed venturi vacuum to function and had NO centrifugal advance capability. When you go to multiple carbs whether they are 94s or Strombergs, the air flow through each carb is either 1/2 or 1/3 of the airflow that would have been through the one original so the source (amount) of venturi vacuum created is reduced by that amount and therefore not enough to properly supply the vacuum advance on the distributor. You may want to reduce the total advance (static plus mechanical) to around 24 degrees as an unmodified Chevy will give around 34 total degrees (way too much for a flathead). Good luck : Bruce

[1962300]

So appreciate the advice from all!!
So incredibly helpful!!!!

[1962300]

Can anyone tell me what the NEW set of points gap should be with the Chevy Distributor in my '49 Flathead? Is it 0.19?

[40cpe]

That is another good thing about the Chevy distributor; you can use a dwell meter to set the points. If I remember right the setting is about 34 degrees. The dwell meters are cheap on swap sites or ebay.

[Ross F-1]

The Chev distributor can be fitted with an adjustable vac advance can (may already have one). You can tell if it is adjustable by pulling the vacuum hose off, and sticking a small allen wrench (don't have size handy) straight in the nipple. If it's adjustable, you'll find a set screw inside. Using recommendations from here and elsewhere, I set mine to give a max of 8* using manifold vacuum. Accel/Mr. Gasket make the adjustable units.

[Krylon32]

Bubbas done several Chevy to Flathead distributors for me and they worked great. They all were used with multiple carbs. Also easy to find parts for.

[Rand]

Dump question I know?? plse be nice
Can the "said " Chebby dizzy run on 6volts?
or does it only run on 12volts
Randy

[Dale Fairfax]

A distributor doesn't care what voltage you're running. The coil does. If you already have a working 6 volt coil, keep it.

Originally Posted by Rand

Dump question I know?? plse be nice
Can the "said " Chebby dizzy run on 6volts?
or does it only run on 12volts
Randy

[Rand]

So...Bubba's chevy dizzy will run on my 6volt 50 Merc? just bolt in and go?
Thanks for being patient with me...
Randy

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by rand

so...bubba's chevy dizzy will run on my 6volt 50 merc? Just bolt in and go?
Thanks for being patient with me...
Randy

yep 6 or 12 volts.........