The Ford Barn - View Single Post - '55 T-bird distributor

Grumpy Rick · 02-11-2016, 02:51 PM

New old guy here, with a twist on a common question.

I have had several 54-55-56 Fords, and am aware of the Loadomatic distributor/carb problems.

I recently bought a 55 T-Bird, with the original 292 motor. It is rebuilt pretty much original. Converted to 12V and an alternator, he put an Edelbrock 600 cfm carb on it, but left the original distributor on because he did not want to lose the original tach.

I would choose runability over the tach, and was ready to get a 59-64 distributor from NAPA, but I ran across ads on e-bay for HEI distributors with wiring and 50K coil for about $275. I assume these are Chinese copies of the MSD setup, which is about $600.

Question is.....Anybody have experience with one of these e-bay ignition systems??

Question 2: Any ideas on an electric tach that would look pretty original?

I just want to end up with a car that is a dependable driver.

Thanks,
Rick

02-11-2016, 02:51 PM	#1
Grumpy Rick Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 200	'55 T-bird distributor New old guy here, with a twist on a common question. I have had several 54-55-56 Fords, and am aware of the Loadomatic distributor/carb problems. I recently bought a 55 T-Bird, with the original 292 motor. It is rebuilt pretty much original. Converted to 12V and an alternator, he put an Edelbrock 600 cfm carb on it, but left the original distributor on because he did not want to lose the original tach. I would choose runability over the tach, and was ready to get a 59-64 distributor from NAPA, but I ran across ads on e-bay for HEI distributors with wiring and 50K coil for about $275. I assume these are Chinese copies of the MSD setup, which is about $600. Question is.....Anybody have experience with one of these e-bay ignition systems?? Question 2: Any ideas on an electric tach that would look pretty original? I just want to end up with a car that is a dependable driver. Thanks, Rick