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02-11-2016, 02:51 PM | #1 |
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'55 T-bird distributor
New old guy here, with a twist on a common question.
I have had several 54-55-56 Fords, and am aware of the Loadomatic distributor/carb problems. I recently bought a 55 T-Bird, with the original 292 motor. It is rebuilt pretty much original. Converted to 12V and an alternator, he put an Edelbrock 600 cfm carb on it, but left the original distributor on because he did not want to lose the original tach. I would choose runability over the tach, and was ready to get a 59-64 distributor from NAPA, but I ran across ads on e-bay for HEI distributors with wiring and 50K coil for about $275. I assume these are Chinese copies of the MSD setup, which is about $600. Question is.....Anybody have experience with one of these e-bay ignition systems?? Question 2: Any ideas on an electric tach that would look pretty original? I just want to end up with a car that is a dependable driver. Thanks, Rick |
02-11-2016, 04:21 PM | #2 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Correct, the stock '55 distributor won't function properly with an Edelbrock 600.
Have you looked for a '57 T-Bird distributor? That would solve the problem, except for how to pay for one. Mallory used to sell a tach drive dist that looks compatible but it's been out of stock / no longer made(?) for a while now. http://www.amazon.com/Mallory-USA-38...ype=automotive I've heard of 55/57 T-Birds converted to an elect tach but don't know which ones fit. |
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02-12-2016, 02:27 AM | #3 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
I thought about a '57 Bird distributor, but as you say, too much money, then it needs going through, and I still don't have electronic ignition.
That is why I am asking about the E-bay MSD clones. There seem to be two companies handling them. Anyone with knowledge of them? The 59-64 distributor from NAPA is my fallback. If I go this way, I will go with a Pertronix setup. |
02-12-2016, 09:33 AM | #4 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
My choice would be the '59-'64 and convert tach to electric. Auto Meter have a mini tach that is center sweep 0 to 5000 rpm, the same layout as original. (there may be others but beware, most are for diesel application and require more parts to use). I would then fit the electronic unit behind the original face into the stripped out tach cup.
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02-12-2016, 11:23 AM | #5 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Here is an article on converting your "Loadamatic" distributor from the YBlockforever forum. It may be helpful to you, rather than spending all that money on something that you may not be happy with. Hopefully, it could be done with a Tach drive unit
Hope it helps you Jim THE LOAD-O-MATIC DISTRIBUTOR By Gerry Dubois The Load-o-Matic distributor is essentially the same from the bowl up on all modern Ford units. Take a '57 or later distributor, remove the breaker plate and upper shaft assembly. Replace these with the beaker plate and upper shaft assembly from any '75 or later Ford V-8 distributor. Install a new stator and reluctor. You will have to notch the distributor housing to fit the stators wire harness. This is as simple as extending the existing hole up to the rim of the bowl. The old style cap can be retained for an old time look or the new style two-piece cap can be used with modern 8mm wires for best performance. You will also need a module and a Duraspark unique coil. You could fab up a harness on your own or purchase one from a Ford industrial dealer.(Part number D7JL-12A200-CA) This harness will plug directly into the distributor, module and coil. It has two wires to power it. Luckily the brown wire and the red wire that now go to the resistor and the positive side of the coil are the correct input for the job. Make the two connections and turn the key. You may have to disconnect the brown wire from the starter relay to avoid a feed back that will cause the starter to run on after you release the key. You will want to regap the plugs to about .045" to take advantage of the much stronger spark. You can also use an MSD 6AL type of module with the Ford distributor, if you wish. MSD offers a harness (#8869) that plugs into the Duraspark distributor plug while the other end plugs into their module. Follow the MSD instructions for the rest of the wiring requirements. If you decide to go this route, be sure to use one of the MSD Blaster coils. An upgraded vacuum advance could give even more power. The local auto parts store usually carries these. I've used the '85 Mustang 5.0 replacement to great success. These are adjustable for the amount of vacuum it takes to bring in full vacuum advance using an 1/8" Allen wrench through the vacuum port. This particular unit offers 20 degrees of advance at the crank. The arm is marked with a "10". The fuel economy improvement is enormous. |
02-12-2016, 11:37 AM | #6 | |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
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Quote:
I forget what size the Tach is on the 'Birds (2 1/16"??) but I've seen quite a few with electronic tachs. Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 02-12-2016 at 11:46 AM. |
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02-12-2016, 12:20 PM | #7 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
I have an old 9000rpm SW mechanical tach in my 55 bird. 31/2" nominal dia. By carefully removing the bezel, and girding down the edge of the case, it slipped right in to the bird dash bezel. I think the electric ones use the same case, it would be worth a look.
I also ran the Loadomatic dist with a Edelbrock carb for several years. Used an MSD timing computer to provide "mechanical" advance. (It's really low rpm retard). Used a modern vacumn can to provide adjustable vacumn advance. It was a lot of fooling around, but it worked. Used a Pertroix to trigger the MSD 6AL. The timing retard computers are used by the bracket racers, I think several companies make them now. |
03-04-2018, 03:27 PM | #8 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Update:
I ended up using a Cardone rebuilt later model 292 distributor, with a Pertronix system. Works fine. I plan to later fit that AutoMeter 5000 RPM tach in the dash. Thanks for the helpfull advice. |
03-04-2018, 06:05 PM | #9 | |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Quote:
The author is starting off on the wrong foot...
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The above posted information is in my opinion only (IMO) and may contain copy and paste material(s). In addition, any above tech information is supplied in good faith. No responsibility implied or otherwise can be accepted for the way others use or interpret provided data. Your experience(s), opinion(s) and mileage may vary. DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
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03-04-2018, 06:15 PM | #10 | |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Quote:
Makes perfect sense to me. You can change a '55/'56 distributor to a '57 distributor by getting a '57 distributor. Perhaps the intent of the original author was to explain the installation of factory 'late-model' electronic ignition into a '57+ points style distributor. . Last edited by dmsfrr; 03-04-2018 at 06:46 PM. |
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03-28-2020, 05:55 PM | #11 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
You see nothing wrong with the authors opening statement?
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***** - DISCLAIMER -
The above posted information is in my opinion only (IMO) and may contain copy and paste material(s). In addition, any above tech information is supplied in good faith. No responsibility implied or otherwise can be accepted for the way others use or interpret provided data. Your experience(s), opinion(s) and mileage may vary. DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
03-28-2020, 07:23 PM | #12 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
You're asking me?
Did you see the "eye roll" / sarcastic emoji? The author has a poor understanding of the various Y-block distributors. He claims "The Load-o-Matic distributor is essentially the same from the bowl up on all modern Ford units." This is not true. The Y-block Loadomatic distributors were only used from '54 to '56. Their primary limitations are that they advance the ignition timing based only on a low level vacuum signal from the original year matching '54/'56 carburetors. They do not have centrifugal weights for timing advance, or room to put them in. He continues with his 'fix' of a *Loadomatic* distributor by taking even later model parts and putting them in a (wait for it) '57+ distributor. The '57+ Y-block distributor is not a Loadomatic, it has centrifugal timing advance weights under the points mounting plate and a deeper housing they fit into. If the owner of a '54/'56 Loadomatic distributor wants to somehow alter or convert it to a newer setup and has a '57+ Y-block distributor in his other hand... he's already got the solution. (except for the solid state bits and tach drive) Last edited by dmsfrr; 04-04-2020 at 01:01 PM. Reason: add photos |
03-28-2020, 08:10 PM | #13 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Speaking of Tach drive...
Back to Grumpy Ricks 4 yr old *lack of tach drive when updating a '55/'56 T-Bird* problem... I hesitate a bit to post this link or have anyone think too highly of these aftermarket Y-block Tach drive distributors because I'm pretty sure we know where they're made.... but if someone wants to go this route, here they are. They started showing up on ebay a few weeks ago. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sop...&ul_noapp=true . Last edited by dmsfrr; 03-29-2020 at 09:30 AM. Reason: spelling |
03-29-2020, 07:26 AM | #14 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Not beating on you, but how many may have been mislead by the TECH ARTICLE?. You passed with flying colors ...
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The above posted information is in my opinion only (IMO) and may contain copy and paste material(s). In addition, any above tech information is supplied in good faith. No responsibility implied or otherwise can be accepted for the way others use or interpret provided data. Your experience(s), opinion(s) and mileage may vary. DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
03-29-2020, 09:22 AM | #15 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Hopefully not too many folks.
The article is actually about converting a '57+ Y-block distributor to electronic ignition. (which I don't have enough info to comment on) Now if I could just spend more time in the garage instead of at this keyboard..... . Last edited by dmsfrr; 03-29-2020 at 05:23 PM. |
03-29-2020, 11:11 AM | #16 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Yes, I also noticed the author didn't seem to know the details of what he was talking about.
Sal |
03-29-2020, 04:12 PM | #17 | |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Quote:
Well, yes, I blew that off. It would be correct to say either; The load-o-matic distributor is the same from the bowl up on '54-56 Y-blocks (in fact the only difference at all is the '54 has different camshaft mating gear), or, you could say; the mechanical advance distributors are all EXACTLY the same on all '57-64 Y-blocks (except the T-Bird has provision for mechanical tachometer). The latter statement would have been more relevant for this thread. |
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03-29-2020, 05:28 PM | #18 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
Examples of two differences between the '57/'59 Y-block distributors and the '59+ versions. There may be other/later versions but I haven't looked into it.
The '57/'59 distributors use a vacuum diaphragm with a straight actuating arm. The points & condenser are mounted on a round plate that rotates on small ball bearings in a groove around its perimeter. The '59+ distributors have a curved arm from the vacuum canister. The points & condenser mount to a smaller plate that pivots on a pin opposite the wiper of the points. (photo 3, red arrow) . Last edited by dmsfrr; 03-29-2020 at 11:44 PM. |
04-04-2020, 06:29 AM | #19 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
I just bought a 56 Thunderbird and a 63 Split Window coupe from my Brother in law and Sister. They have not been run for 12 years. I bought them as is? They are in very nice shape, been covered up to protect them. They are home in my garage being cleanup.
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04-04-2020, 06:51 AM | #20 |
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Re: '55 T-bird distributor
... show-off ...
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The above posted information is in my opinion only (IMO) and may contain copy and paste material(s). In addition, any above tech information is supplied in good faith. No responsibility implied or otherwise can be accepted for the way others use or interpret provided data. Your experience(s), opinion(s) and mileage may vary. DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
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