351w distributor interchangability

[BlueOvalBud]

Hey fellas I just bought a 351w from an 84 Bronco with a weird distributor. It doesn't have any wires coming from it that I can see, and it has a rotor (?) kind of thing that I've never seen before. I'd like to install a points ignition since this engine will be installed in my Jeep CJ7...for reliability purposes out in the woods. I can carry a spare set of points in the glovebox kinda thing. I spoke with an old time gear-head who explained a 351 cleveland distributor could be installed in the 351 windsor. I was just hoping to verify this with some experts. Without going too crazy buying an aftermarket dual-points distributor....I'm just wondering if I could purchase a remanufactured distributor from Napa or a similar parts store for a vehicle that was originally equipped with a points-ignition 351 cleveland... On a side note, I've already pulled the 2v Holley carb off the 351. I pulled the Autolite 2100 off my 352 FE and it fits nicely...gonna order a set of headers and I can't wait to set this puppy in the Feep! Edit: After some searching around on Napa's website, it seems like I could purchase a remanufactured points distributor for a 1970 Mustang with a 351 Windsor. Seems like a good plan to me for $64 + the $44 core. Since it's already for a 351 Windsor, it seems like it should be a drop-in affair. I like this!

[Beanscoot]

I think the interchangeability is between the 351C and 460. The 351W doesn't share distributors with any other engines.

I have never had major trouble with points in my old cars. I like them. I did have to stop to clean them and reset the gap on the road one time, but this was because I never attended to them over five years.

Of course that happened at night, in a dark and desolate spot and I had no flashlight.

[Ken(Ark)]

Originally Posted by BlueOvalBud

Without going too crazy buying an aftermarket dual-points distributor....

Edit: After some searching around on Napa's website, it seems like I could purchase a remanufactured points distributor for a 1970 Mustang with a 351 Windsor. Seems like a good plan to me for $64 + the $44 core. Since it's already for a 351 Windsor, it seems like it should be a drop-in affair. I like this!

Ebay has new 351w conversion GM HEI distributors for $39.99 + $10 shipping . You could still carry an extra brain (they are small )

Used Mallory dual point distributors sell for $20 - $25 on ebay also .

Autozone has a single vacuum advance point style distributors for $39.99 + $17 core .

[BlueOvalBud]

Originally Posted by Beanscoot

I have never had major trouble with points in my old cars. I like them. I did have to stop to clean them and reset the gap on the road one time, but this was because I never attended to them over five years.

Of course that happened at night, in a dark and desolate spot and I had no flashlight.

Always in the worse time! I have never had issues with points either, I love simplicity!

I did some searching and I decided to go with a remanufactured distributor from a 70 mustang with a 351 Windsor. Although at Carquest the gentleman was reading the notes on the part listing. I do have 6 bolt valve covers, but the listing says 13/16" spark plugs where the one in my engine are 5/8".

I wrote down the part number: D9AE-6015-ED

The engine is from a 1984 Bronco...but my google searches indicate it's 1979 engine from a Galaxie. Soo...I didn't pull the trigger on a distributor yet until I decode this engine to be sure it's a Windsor.

Thanks for the help guys!

[critterf1]

The 460 dizzy and the 351W dizzy are identical other than the gear.

[baddad457]

Originally Posted by BlueOvalBud

Hey fellas
I just bought a 351w from an 84 Bronco with a weird distributor. It doesn't have any wires coming from it that I can see, and it has a rotor (?) kind of thing that I've never seen before.

I'd like to install a points ignition since this engine will be installed in my Jeep CJ7...for reliability purposes out in the woods. I can carry a spare set of points in the glovebox kinda thing.

I spoke with an old time gear-head who explained a 351 cleveland distributor could be installed in the 351 windsor. I was just hoping to verify this with some experts.

Without going too crazy buying an aftermarket dual-points distributor....I'm just wondering if I could purchase a remanufactured distributor from Napa or a similar parts store for a vehicle that was originally equipped with a points-ignition 351 cleveland...

On a side note, I've already pulled the 2v Holley carb off the 351. I pulled the Autolite 2100 off my 352 FE and it fits nicely...gonna order a set of headers and I can't wait to set this puppy in the Feep!

Edit: After some searching around on Napa's website, it seems like I could purchase a remanufactured points distributor for a 1970 Mustang with a 351 Windsor. Seems like a good plan to me for $64 + the $44 core. Since it's already for a 351 Windsor, it seems like it should be a drop-in affair. I like this!

LOL, you've stumbled onto the electronic feedback carb setup Ford used in the early 80's. My son's 82 Bronco had the same distributor. He tossed it for a Duraspark setup. Points ? you can have my share. Unless there's an EMP burst, I'll stick to electronic ignitions. Set em once and forget it's there.

[baddad457]

Oh, and as was said on your other thread dealing with this same subject: There was no 79 Galaxie.

[Beanscoot]

In 1970 the Mustang could have had a 351W or 351C engine. One way to tell them engines apart for those unfamiliar with them was that the 351W used 13/16" hex-18mm thread spark plugs, while the 351C used the smaller 5/8" hex-14mm thread plugs.

Some time in the 1970s all engines switched to the smaller plugs.

the D9AE number means the part was originally designed for a 1979 model year full size Ford. However it would have been used for many other vehicles as well, possibly for several years, until the part was revised and given a new number.

[BlueOvalBud]

haha, well I'm glad to find out there is not such thing as a 79 Galaxie...I'm glad I stick to trucks, because I know nothing about the cars! That's funny though, the reply made me chuckle.

Yes, I believe this was that same type of electronic carb system...although somewhere along the line someone swapped a 2v Holley onto this engine and left the electronic ignition.

It's not that I am opposed to electronic ignitons, I just have had extremely successful results with points in my '65 352 and love the simplicity. I know a little about the Duraspark ignition. I played with and wired up an HEI system in my Dad's Jeep 258. AMC used the duraspark distributor and module fromt he factory from 79-86. Our engine is a 78, so I ended up installing a reman. from a 79 and wired up a GM HEI module from a 78 Camaro with a 350. It seems to work well.

I'm open for suggestions on the Duraspark system, which vehicle could I get a distributor from?

This engine definetly seems like a Windsor. 6 bolt volve covers, the thermostat housing is accessible with a socket wrench. It doesn't sound like a Cleveland from info I have been reading online...so since it's a late 70's engine, maybe the spark plugs are a poor way to ID the engine given that they are the same spark plug size.

Thanks fellas, I appreciate the help!

[baddad457]

The 302/351W heads from 1977-on all had the smaller plugs. If you like Junkyard hunting, any Ford/Merc from 1974-on with a 351W would have had a Duraspark distributor (you'll need to grab the wiring harness too) Or just buy a fresh reman distributor at the local parts house