The Ford Barn

Art Newland · 05-03-2018, 12:38 PM

It sounds like the chevy conversion is fairly straight forward, I have a new Accel 31400 and I'm thinking of doing the conversion. I still need to find a cap and rotor. does this sound like a viable setup? I used to use a 30100 in my high school 56 chevy with a 327. I know the 31400 is a low end product, but since this is new and would likely get minimal use you'd think it should be OK. A fun project if nothing else. Anyone know of a source for cap and rotor? Were the caps and rotor the same as any production car?

BUBBAS IGNITION · 05-03-2018, 12:50 PM

Art , Good choice for the flathead , small base good advance rates , very adjustable.
Here a new cap and rotor ( special to acell)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ACCEL-8330-...EAAOSw5utaX6DK

Speedway also sells a new flathead drive gear......

Ol' Ron · 05-03-2018, 01:17 PM

Can you use a vacuum advance?? Not much good if you can't,

Art Newland · 05-03-2018, 02:10 PM

Wow, there's a 180 difference of opinion!
Thanks for the link Bubba.

Tim Ayers · 05-03-2018, 02:11 PM

I thought of doing the same since the one I have has a tach drive. Thought it would work out nicely.

Fordestes · 05-03-2018, 05:29 PM

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Art , check out N.A.P.A, see if the Chrysler Jeep v-8 cap or mabe a Prestolite marine application will work, Napa should be able to cross the Accel number over, the one I used from napa has the brass contacts also, the cap seemed to be a little lighter than the regular Accel to me anyways. worked fine so far.
I saved a few Dollars, I gave about 10.00 for the cap.

Ronnieroadster · 05-03-2018, 07:27 PM

Napa will have the cap and rotor for that distributor just use the Accell number. i have been converting the Accell dual point distributors for ever on my Flathead and ARDUN engines and many I have built for others they work great. Its easy to adjust the centrifugal advance with lighter springs theres no need for a vacuum advance.
Ronnieroadster

Scotty's 52 F3 · 05-03-2018, 11:26 PM

I used a Chevy Accel with the vacuum advance as recommended by Ron. Works great.

I set it up on the truck with a dial back timing light to a curve recommended by JWL. Trial and error on the vacuum advance.

I only have one advance spring in right now. Couldn't find a lighter one. Bubba was going to fix me up with springs but, he got busy with his move and I wasn't going to bug him. It works.

Here's some pics I had posted back when I did the swap.

Art Newland · 05-04-2018, 12:35 AM

Thanks for all the help. Looks like that 8330 kits fits a lot of AMC V8s from the mid-70s. Chryslers from early 70s. I need to return a few things to NAPA anyway so I'll check it out.

revkev6 · 05-04-2018, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty's 52 F3

I used a Chevy Accel with the vacuum advance as recommended by Ron. Works great.

I set it up on the truck with a dial back timing light to a curve recommended by JWL. Trial and error on the vacuum advance.

I only have one advance spring in right now. Couldn't find a lighter one. Bubba was going to fix me up with springs but, he got busy with his move and I wasn't going to bug him. It works.

Here's some pics I had posted back when I did the swap.

thats a nice setup and I love the way you mounted the clamp instead of using the timing cover. I have an old flat top mallory for a chevy that I'm planning to use for my next flathead build and I think I'm going to steal your idea instead of making a pinch clamp like I had planned.

flatjack9 · 05-04-2018, 08:34 AM

For a street driven car, vacuum advance is definitely a plus.

Fordestes · 05-04-2018, 09:02 AM

Art , Check out an My- 400 standard motor products cap , If my memory serves me right I think the My 400 should fit .

Art Newland · 05-04-2018, 09:51 AM

the "407" would be cool looking.

Side Crab?

tubman · 05-04-2018, 09:55 AM

Mallory made a crab style cap for some of their marine SBC distributors. Maybe ACCEL did too?

Ol' Ron · 05-04-2018, 03:37 PM

The fact that some people don't feel they need a vacuum advance, reminds me of myself. Back in the late 80 and 90's I converted a bunch of chevy distributors for the flathead, I just eliminated the vacuum canister and locked the points plat down with a crew through the vac mounting hole. Then I sold an engine to a fellow that said he wanted the vacuum advance do he could get better gas mileage, The 296 ci. L-100 engine wad placed into a 35 Ford PU infront of a C4 and turned in over 20 mPH for 50k miles. I learned allot from that. then Richard from Fla took over nad I think the timing of the flathead has now been solved. However. they run pretty good with out it??

flatjack9 · 05-04-2018, 05:24 PM

There is a reason all car manufacturers used the vacuum advance.

Art Newland · 05-04-2018, 08:31 PM

Well... my distributor doesn't have vacuum advance, sooooo tough beans for me!

This however will make a neat distributor for a build down the road a bit. I picked up a cap and rotor from NAPA, best I could figure is mid 70s AMC or mid 70s Chrysler big block. In my case 440 fit perfect.

Ronnieroadster · 05-05-2018, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

The fact that some people don't feel they need a vacuum advance, reminds me of myself. Back in the late 80 and 90's I converted a bunch of chevy distributors for the flathead, I just eliminated the vacuum canister and locked the points plat down with a crew through the vac mounting hole. Then I sold an engine to a fellow that said he wanted the vacuum advance do he could get better gas mileage, The 296 ci. L-100 engine wad placed into a 35 Ford PU infront of a C4 and turned in over 20 mPH for 50k miles. I learned allot from that. then Richard from Fla took over nad I think the timing of the flathead has now been solved. However. they run pretty good with out it??

Ron not all dizzys are created equal while your goal is usually based on economy theres many who also like performance both can be accomplished. That being the case its hard to beat the Accell 37000 series dizzy especially when a Pertroix conversion is used but that will add to the cost. There easy to set the advance curve for any application. However this is not a hobby where economy comes into play when your looking for true quality and reliability form our old engines .

Ronnieroadster · 05-05-2018, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Newland

Well... my distributor doesn't have vacuum advance, sooooo tough beans for me!

This however will make a neat distributor for a build down the road a bit. I picked up a cap and rotor from NAPA, best I could figure is mid 70s AMC or mid 70s Chrysler big block. In my case 440 fit perfect.

Theres nothing wrong with using your distributor it will work fine. Theres always going to be numerous opinions to any question. You have A good quality piece use it and enjoy it.
Ronnieroadster

tubman · 05-05-2018, 04:50 PM

I ran a converted Mallory SBC dual point with vacuum over mechanical on the Mercury engine in my '51 for a short while. I then found a proper Mallory "flattop" and replaced it (I am addicted to these old Mallorys.) I can state that I can't tell any difference in the way the car starts, runs, and drives. I didn't have the converted unit in long enough to check the mileage with it, but I took a 260 mile road trip (on the interstate averaging between 65 and 70) and got 19 mpg with the "flattop". That's not the best, but this is a non-overdrive car with a 3.55 rear end ratio.

05-03-2018, 12:50 PM	#2
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead Art , Good choice for the flathead , small base good advance rates , very adjustable. Here a new cap and rotor ( special to acell) https://www.ebay.com/itm/ACCEL-8330-...EAAOSw5utaX6DK Speedway also sells a new flathead drive gear...... __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

05-03-2018, 01:17 PM	#3
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,859	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead Can you use a vacuum advance?? Not much good if you can't,

05-03-2018, 02:10 PM	#4
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead Wow, there's a 180 difference of opinion! Thanks for the link Bubba. __________________ "whatever works!"

05-03-2018, 02:11 PM	#5
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead I thought of doing the same since the one I have has a tach drive. Thought it would work out nicely.

05-03-2018, 05:29 PM	#6
Fordestes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 886	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Art , check out N.A.P.A, see if the Chrysler Jeep v-8 cap or mabe a Prestolite marine application will work, Napa should be able to cross the Accel number over, the one I used from napa has the brass contacts also, the cap seemed to be a little lighter than the regular Accel to me anyways. worked fine so far. I saved a few Dollars, I gave about 10.00 for the cap.

05-03-2018, 07:27 PM	#7
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,528	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead Napa will have the cap and rotor for that distributor just use the Accell number. i have been converting the Accell dual point distributors for ever on my Flathead and ARDUN engines and many I have built for others they work great. Its easy to adjust the centrifugal advance with lighter springs theres no need for a vacuum advance. Ronnieroadster __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish. "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block" Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline. First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

05-04-2018, 08:34 AM	#11
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead For a street driven car, vacuum advance is definitely a plus.

05-04-2018, 09:02 AM	#12
Fordestes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 886	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead Art , Check out an My- 400 standard motor products cap , If my memory serves me right I think the My 400 should fit .

05-04-2018, 09:55 AM	#14
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead Mallory made a crab style cap for some of their marine SBC distributors. Maybe ACCEL did too?

05-04-2018, 03:37 PM	#15
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,859	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead The fact that some people don't feel they need a vacuum advance, reminds me of myself. Back in the late 80 and 90's I converted a bunch of chevy distributors for the flathead, I just eliminated the vacuum canister and locked the points plat down with a crew through the vac mounting hole. Then I sold an engine to a fellow that said he wanted the vacuum advance do he could get better gas mileage, The 296 ci. L-100 engine wad placed into a 35 Ford PU infront of a C4 and turned in over 20 mPH for 50k miles. I learned allot from that. then Richard from Fla took over nad I think the timing of the flathead has now been solved. However. they run pretty good with out it??

05-04-2018, 05:24 PM	#16
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead There is a reason all car manufacturers used the vacuum advance.

05-05-2018, 04:50 PM	#20
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Chevy Accel dual point in a Flathead I ran a converted Mallory SBC dual point with vacuum over mechanical on the Mercury engine in my '51 for a short while. I then found a proper Mallory "flattop" and replaced it (I am addicted to these old Mallorys.) I can state that I can't tell any difference in the way the car starts, runs, and drives. I didn't have the converted unit in long enough to check the mileage with it, but I took a 260 mile road trip (on the interstate averaging between 65 and 70) and got 19 mpg with the "flattop". That's not the best, but this is a non-overdrive car with a 3.55 rear end ratio.