Ford distributor components

salid · #1 (**permalink**) 05-31-2013, 12:03 PM

Anyone here an expert of Motorcraft distributors, mid to late 60s vintage? Is there a place that describes the internal components? I’ve been looking at the 75 MPC and it left me with some questions. For example, is a 243 advance spring heavier or lighter than a 233 spring? Are advance springs color coded? What makes one spring the primary spring and the other the secondary? Which advance cams have the 10L slot option and which have the 12L slot? Is there such a thing as an 11L slot?

Somewhere there must be a document that gives all the details. Anyone know what that document is?

FWB · #2 (**permalink**) 05-31-2013, 12:41 PM

what came in a particular vehicle will be determined not by what car but the distributor number itself. ford parts and service denoted all replacement parts for distributors, by the number on the housing. so to even look up a spring or and internal its listed by that number in the parts books.

if your looking for a distributor to be done for your particular build, i would hand it off to someone with all the info and the parts and a distributor machine to set it up. you can list the particulars of your car....including engine trans etc...and this guy will do a unit for you...

TotalPerfEntofPa@aol.com

his name is Faron

dcdoug · #3 (**permalink**) 05-31-2013, 12:49 PM

I rebuilt my old Fomoco distributor, here's the thread: Mechanical advance in old school C5AF-E distributor

As FWB says, you may want to hand it off to someone. I found Tim at Tim O'Connor Ford Distributor Rebuilding and Restoration Service to be SUPER knowledgable. He's been doing this for a long time. He also has or can source some very hard to find parts. (Tim O'Connor Distributor Rebuilding and Restoration - Home)

legenmetals · #4 (**permalink**) 05-31-2013, 01:17 PM

Tim O'Connor did my distributor and fuel pump for my 260 build. Nice work!

FWB · #5 (**permalink**) 05-31-2013, 01:32 PM

yes Tim is also very good....

another note is when you buy a rebuilt distributor from an auto parts store you get a "whatever" breaker plate.........so more often the 10L or 12L slot has been swapped out for whatever they feel like and you get a hunk of crap to start with. those tangs are meant to be bent to limit or increase advance, and without a distributor machine its a real crap shoot.

Tim and Faron can also be found par-oozing the FE-Forum

332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum

Wbulk · #6 (**permalink**) 05-31-2013, 03:32 PM

No, I don't remember the springs ever being color coded. Just buy the Mr. Gasket advance springs. Read this thread. It answers most of your questions. Dist. Advance Re-curve

DanEC · #7 (**permalink**) 06-06-2013, 10:34 AM

Another satisfied customer of Tims here.