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Old 05-10-2015, 11:43 PM   #1
flatrod
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Default Load matic Dist

Can anyone tell me how a 56 dual vac loadmatic dist is supposed to work? Will it work with a 55 teapot carb?
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Old 05-11-2015, 03:39 AM   #2
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

http://classicinlines.com/Loadomatic.asp
On the carb swap, others will advice better.
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Old 05-11-2015, 06:59 AM   #3
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

the 55 uses only 1 vac,line.you will need to change vacuum advance.
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Old 05-11-2015, 08:12 AM   #4
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

Here is a good thread you might find useful.
http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142689
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:17 AM   #5
dmsfrr
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

The '55, '56, '57 carburetors (& their vacuum ports) and the distributor vacuum advance cans are each year specific and not interchangeable.
But the distributor housings for '55 & '56 are effectively the same, you can change out the '56 vacuum advance can to a '55 style to match the '55 teapot carb.

Pictures below, the different vacuum advance units for: '55, '56, '57
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 55 vac can.JPG (29.3 KB, 2 views)
File Type: jpg 56 vac can #2.JPG (14.4 KB, 1 views)
File Type: jpg 57 dist copy.jpg (38.6 KB, 2 views)

Last edited by dmsfrr; 05-11-2015 at 01:17 PM.
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Old 05-11-2015, 11:33 AM   #6
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

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Part of the calibration for the Load-O-Matic spark advance systems are the primary and secondary springs under the distributor cap. Not saying this is physically possibe, but if using a '56 distributor with a '55 teapot carb, I would use a '55 style vacuum diaphragm on the distributor, along with the '55 primary and secondary springs. Better yet, the entire '55 distributor.

Sal
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Old 05-11-2015, 11:44 AM   #7
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

I agree. Incomplete solutions are seldom as good in hindsight.
.
.

Last edited by dmsfrr; 05-11-2015 at 01:37 PM.
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Old 05-11-2015, 12:30 PM   #8
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

FWIW, I say ditch the loadamatic altogether and get yourself a 1957-64 Distributor. You will need new cap because they are different from 55/56 but all caps for 57-64 are the same. Also you will need to modify the Teapot Carb per Ted Eaton's specs on his website if you want vacuum advance. You could always plug the port on your carb though and just run the mechanical advance. Fuel mileage won't be as great however.

When I ditched the load-a-matic years ago my Y block woke up.
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Old 05-11-2015, 12:43 PM   #9
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot Rod Reverend View Post
FWIW, I say ditch the loadamatic altogether and get yourself a 1957-64 Distributor. You will need new cap because they are different from 55/56 but all caps for 57-64 are the same. Also you will need to modify the Teapot Carb per Ted Eaton's specs on his website if you want vacuum advance. You could always plug the port on your carb though and just run the mechanical advance. Fuel mileage won't be as great however.

When I ditched the load-a-matic years ago my Y block woke up.


Another good suggestion from Hot Rod reverend. The Load-O-Matic systems to me are a little slow responding and inconsistent. Too many things have to be just right. Even then, mediocre at best. Too me it's for people that are intent on keeping a car 100% original.

Sal
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Old 05-11-2015, 02:38 PM   #10
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

While you're at it, ditch the manifold for a 57 "B" manifold and your carb options get way better.
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Old 05-12-2015, 01:12 AM   #11
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

Thanks for all the good info. This is what we have, 56 TBird with a 55 carb and intake. It wasn't working with a later dist. I have a 56 dual vacuum Bird dist, put it in with the one side to the original 55 vacuum port and the other to a vacuum source at the front of the manifold, manifold vacuum. Looked to me the same as using a 56 carb. Still does not seem to work right. It may have a bad vacuum can on one side or the other. Its a friends car, when it comes back to me, I will test it, but I think he will go with a 57 dist and run it without the vacuum advance part.
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Old 05-12-2015, 07:38 AM   #12
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

If you go with the '57 and up distributor, then the Teapot can be modified to utilize the vacuum advance pod on that particular distributor. Here's the link to the instructions for that.
http://www.eatonbalancing.com/blog/2...-distributors/
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Old 05-12-2015, 03:35 PM   #13
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

IM ditching mine got a 64 y-block dizzy a pertronix kit an a holley 600 cfm carb.
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Old 05-13-2015, 12:25 AM   #14
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

Thanks Ted, it looks like that is the way we will be going.
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Old 05-13-2015, 11:15 AM   #15
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

Quote:
Originally Posted by flatrod View Post
This is what we have, 56 TBird with a 55 carb and intake. It wasn't working with a later dist. I have a 56 dual vacuum Bird dist, put it in with the one side to the original 55 vacuum port and the other to a vacuum source at the front of the manifold, manifold vacuum. Looked to me the same as using a 56 carb. Still does not seem to work right. It may have a bad vacuum can on one side or the other. Its a friends car, when it comes back to me, I will test it, but I think he will go with a 57 dist and run it without the vacuum advance part.
If the '56 T-Bird (and the '56 T-Bird distributor) has a mechanical drive tachometer and the owner wants to keep that working, a replacement '57 dist will also need to be the tach drive version, and follow Ted's instructions to modify the '55 teapot vacuum port.

A '57 dist is the better one to have, especially if the owner is thinking of doing carb & intake manif upgrades in the future. Prepare to dig pretty deep in the wallet to buy one though. The one I copied the picture of (in comment #5 above) is on ebay for $795.
Mallory makes a mechanical advance (only) Y-Block distributor #3838701, that has a tach drive cable fitting..... $435 on Amazon.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mall...utf-8&oe=utf-8

Just as another option.... and for much less money, the '56 dist you have should be easy to re-work to match the '55 carb, it's mostly the same already.
The '57 tach drive dist I have was a real mess and needed to be totally rebuilt. I saw an ad in Hemmings for a fellow in Denver and had him fix it. (it cost less than half the price of the Mallory)
I can give you his phone number if you want it.
Or, here's a link to the 'Distributor servicing' ads in Hemmings.
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/...t=Distributors

.

Last edited by dmsfrr; 05-15-2015 at 08:27 AM.
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Old 05-13-2015, 03:48 PM   #16
flatrod
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

All dist discussed are tach drive dist. I have a 55 and a 56, my friend has a 57 that was in his 56 when he got it. He was thinking more original look, but now has decided to use the tach drive 57 with Teds mods to his 55 carb for his 56 Bird..... confusing sometimes!!
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Old 05-13-2015, 04:14 PM   #17
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

Ok, not that confusing.
I didn't know you already had a '57 T-Bird/tach drive dist. You're almost done then. (haha)
Good luck with it.
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Old 05-15-2015, 03:46 AM   #18
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Default Re: Load matic Dist

Do post some pics or details of your work. I also run a loado and it would be cool to se another swap. Maybe someday I may grow enough courage..
Good luck
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