The Ford Barn

oldsman41 · 07-03-2017, 01:14 PM

does the distributor from a ford 239 ci fit a mercury 255ci engine?

Ol' Ron · 07-03-2017, 01:26 PM

Yep, the engines are the same except for the Merc 4' stroke. The distributor is controled bt Vacuum only. So make sure it working.

oldsman41 · 07-03-2017, 01:33 PM

thanks ron we were all standing around shooting the crap when that question came up i said someone on ford barn will know. half of us were right.ha ha thanks again

rotorwrench · 07-03-2017, 02:14 PM

Keep in mind there were two types of distributors used on 8BA family engines in the time frame of 1948 through 1953. The old 7RA type distributor 1948/50 Ford car/truck will not fit in an OCM type (1950 & later Merc) aluminum front cover and visa versa. After 1951 or so they were generally using the OCM types but I don't know about Ford trucks.

Another difference is the type of carburetor since the Holley Load-O-Matic spark advance was controlled by the carb. I think that the advance curve was pretty much the same though so it doesn't make all that much difference.

If a person changes distributors, they have to consider the type of front cam chest cover.

29AVEE8 · 07-03-2017, 02:20 PM

Some good info here. Need to have your front cover match your distributor.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...+timing+covers

rotorwrench beat me to it but still a good illustration of the differences.

Mike.

oldsman41 · 07-04-2017, 09:44 PM

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ok thanks guys

07-03-2017, 01:14 PM	#1
oldsman41 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 157	dumb question of the day does the distributor from a ford 239 ci fit a mercury 255ci engine?

07-03-2017, 01:26 PM	#2
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: dumb question of the day Yep, the engines are the same except for the Merc 4' stroke. The distributor is controled bt Vacuum only. So make sure it working.

07-03-2017, 01:33 PM	#3
oldsman41 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 157	Re: dumb question of the day thanks ron we were all standing around shooting the crap when that question came up i said someone on ford barn will know. half of us were right.ha ha thanks again

07-03-2017, 02:14 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: dumb question of the day Keep in mind there were two types of distributors used on 8BA family engines in the time frame of 1948 through 1953. The old 7RA type distributor 1948/50 Ford car/truck will not fit in an OCM type (1950 & later Merc) aluminum front cover and visa versa. After 1951 or so they were generally using the OCM types but I don't know about Ford trucks. Another difference is the type of carburetor since the Holley Load-O-Matic spark advance was controlled by the carb. I think that the advance curve was pretty much the same though so it doesn't make all that much difference. If a person changes distributors, they have to consider the type of front cam chest cover.

07-03-2017, 02:20 PM	#5
29AVEE8 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 148	Re: dumb question of the day Some good info here. Need to have your front cover match your distributor. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...+timing+covers rotorwrench beat me to it but still a good illustration of the differences. Mike. __________________ Ignorance of the laws of physics does not mean they do not apply to you. Last edited by 29AVEE8; 07-03-2017 at 02:35 PM.

07-04-2017, 09:44 PM	#6
oldsman41 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 157	Re: dumb question of the day Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) ok thanks guys