The Ford Barn

clo · 03-31-2016, 10:58 AM

I am installing a Mallory unilite distributor in a 59ab. There is no pointer or marks on the pulley. How do I know where the rotor is supposed to be facing so the motor will fire?

JSeery · 03-31-2016, 11:13 AM

There are not any marks on the pulley on the 59a engines. Are you using the front mount distributor? The distributor mounts to the front of the camshaft and there is an offset slot it goes into. The distributor has a tab that goes into the slot. You have to be careful but you can force it in 180 degrees off. These distributor are set up off of the engine and then mounted.

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...str-timing.htm

clo · 03-31-2016, 11:39 AM

I am using a front mount crab style distributor. I'm just not sure when I pull the number one spark plug on the compression stroke, where is Tdc and where the rotor is supposed to face?

34PKUP · 03-31-2016, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clo

I am using a front mount crab style distributor. I'm just not sure when I pull the number one spark plug on the compression stroke, where is Tdc and where the rotor is supposed to face?

Should face to #1 position on the distributor cap.

JSeery · 03-31-2016, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clo

I am using a front mount crab style distributor. I'm just not sure when I pull the number one spark plug on the compression stroke, where is Tdc and where the rotor is supposed to face?

Why would that be important? You have to align the tab on the distributor with the slot on the camshaft. What cylinder is where is not an issue on these engines. If you needed to know where TDC was there would be an indicator for it, right? 8ba is a different process and you do need to align the crank pulley marker with the pointer on the timing cover, and guess what, it has the required marker and point. BUT, this is not how it is accomplished on a 59a or earlier engine.

42 1/2ton · 03-31-2016, 11:59 AM

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As JSeery indicated the distr. will only go one way due to the distr. shaft tab being offset.

clo · 03-31-2016, 12:08 PM

Got it. Thanks, for the info. It's much appreciated!

JSeery · 03-31-2016, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clo

Got it. Thanks, for the info. It's much appreciated!

It's a fairly simple installation but so different from way most distributors are installed it's a bit confusing at first!

03-31-2016, 11:13 AM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Distributor installation There are not any marks on the pulley on the 59a engines. Are you using the front mount distributor? The distributor mounts to the front of the camshaft and there is an offset slot it goes into. The distributor has a tab that goes into the slot. You have to be careful but you can force it in 180 degrees off. These distributor are set up off of the engine and then mounted. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...str-timing.htm Last edited by JSeery; 03-31-2016 at 11:20 AM.

03-31-2016, 11:39 AM	#3
clo Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 91	Re: Distributor installation I am using a front mount crab style distributor. I'm just not sure when I pull the number one spark plug on the compression stroke, where is Tdc and where the rotor is supposed to face?

03-31-2016, 11:59 AM	#6
42 1/2ton Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Entiat, Washington Posts: 53	Re: Distributor installation Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As JSeery indicated the distr. will only go one way due to the distr. shaft tab being offset.

03-31-2016, 12:08 PM	#7
clo Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 91	Re: Distributor installation Got it. Thanks, for the info. It's much appreciated!

03-31-2016, 10:58 AM	#1
clo Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 91	Distributor installation I am installing a Mallory unilite distributor in a 59ab. There is no pointer or marks on the pulley. How do I know where the rotor is supposed to be facing so the motor will fire?