timing covers
 

hi, i just bought a 51 merc flathead for my shoebox. i noticed that the merc has a cast timing cover and my ford flatty has aluminum. why the differance? can i use the aluminum one on the merc motor? thanks.

Re: timing covers
 

Yes but keep the distributers with the timing cover they are in now. Some of the aluminum distributers had a longer shaft that fit into a lower "bearing" made into the aluminum cover.

Vergil

Re: timing covers
 

There are two types of aluminum front covers for the late flathead. The one with the lower support can only be used with the aluminum (or aftermarket) distributor with the extended shaft. The cast iron distributor(or aftermarket with the short shaft) can be used in either the cast iron or aluminum cover with out the lower support. Pics "A" & "B" are the alloy covers, "C" & "D" are two variations of the cast iron covers. These pics should help.


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/DCP_3265.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DCP_3271-1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DCP_3294-2.jpg

Re: timing covers
 

Thanks for the pictures Bob, great to have as reference.
Vergil

Re: timing covers
 

wow, thanks. that is some serious information. i thought there were only two types of front covers.. so i guess as long as i keep the distributor that i was using with the aluminum cover,the swap will work fine. is this true????? thanks again.

Re: timing covers
 

just found out the hard way that the aluminum cover i have will not work with the merc motor, #b in pic. it seems that the gear on the end of the cam hits the cover. the cover is not as deep as the cast one i have, pic# d. should the aluminum one fit? the distributors i have are the same for each front cover.

Re: timing covers
 

Wow that sucks. I'm inthe process of getting one like pic B to put on a 50 Merc engine I'm having built.

What year ford engine did it come off and what year Merc are you swapping to ?

They must have a differnt cam gear too. Keep us posted. Gene

Re: timing covers
 

A couple options for the next engine build.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...R/100_4711.jpg

Showing the different cap styles for the old school mallorys converted to a flathead.
When we do the conversion we leave approx one half inch of shaft to allow the distributor to fit all the Ford covers. ( center unit is still chevrolet) Side units just happened to be tach drive as well.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m.../flatcapyl.jpg

Re: timing covers
 

update, my mistake. the aluminum cover fits the merc motor. the cam wasnt all the way in the motor. qiickgene you should be ok. bubba, ive read alot about your distributors. very nice! i might be calling you soon.

Re: timing covers
 

Great, glad you figured it out you had me worried.

Bubba thinks of everything. Leaving the shaft stick out so it fits either style is a plus. Is the extended stub shaft style cover & matching dizzy any better ? Gene