AB / 8BA cam adapter

[El Rat]

Hi gents...was wondering if anyone had actual experience with an AB to 8 BA distributor adapter? I refer to the aftermarket piece that bolts to an AB camshaft that allows you to use a "late style" front cover and post hole distributor. Here's some questions:
1. Are there end-play issues i.e. (cam has no end-play or way too much)
2. Are there compatibility issues between factory distributor gear and the aftermarket gear
3. Why the huge disparity in prices between Speedway (they offer two), Honest Charlie and Flathead Jack.

Flathead Jack is easy to explain he is very proud of his parts...There seems to be more to the story! Thanks g

[36tbird]

El Rat (is that your witness protection moniker?),

I put the set up from Speedway on a 59A that I just got running. It does not have any miles on it, but it seems to be working great. I stole all the ideas I could from GMC Bubba and Richard in Fla. and made my own Chevy dizzy in order to have a longer shaft for clearance above the belt. I mounted the alternator in the lowest position possible and take care of belt tension with an idler pulley. Picture shows the brackets I was making during mock up. I found out that I did not need the pulley next to the distributor due to the height I added.

Here's the guy who I think supplies the part to Speedway so that you might want to talk to him directly. http://www.tr-designs.com/

[rotorwrench]

The only thing I can add is the concern about thrust. The early engines thrust a different direction than the late 8BA family ones so a person needs to change the gears to work with the distributor/front cover set up he plans to use.

[36tbird]

My SA brother is correct. But, I think that most who do this are going to put in the later Merc crank and use the later timing gears. I think that the thrust is reversed then because the gears are cut opposite.

[Ol' Ron]

No need to change gears, this is some myth that has very long legs. Why would you want to change gears?? what;s more important is cam back lash. Factory specs are .006-.010" I've also seen one that wad .004- .008. Take you pick.

[El Rat]

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Thanks all...still can't figure out why the monumental differance in price. Something like 69.00 to 200.00 with fasteners!
Thanks again, g

I used to be indecisive but now i'm not sure...

[rotorwrench]

Personally, I would stick with the crab type distributor. It is still one of the best distributors for the flathead engines unless you have a problem with space down in front. The modified Chevy distributors are another way to go in that case.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Personally, I would stick with the crab type distributor. It is still one of the best distributors for the flathead engines unless you have a problem with space down in front. The modified Chevy distributors are another way to go in that case.

Make that two votes for the crab. Just can't beat it if you already have one on your engine.
Got the early ford look, thevwires route up and look cool. The distributors are the 11 a unit meaning they have 22 degrees of spark advance and curves in at approx 2500 rpm.
Add the vacuum retard feature and you just can't beat them!!

Tell ya what send me all the money the change over will cost and I will ship you a newly built crab, with cap,rotor,wire set and ignition coil......:

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Withveither electronic ignition or ignition points either one.....