Help with Distributor.
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Junior User
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Help with Distributor.
I finally found a 1995 351 Windsor roller. To make things easy I am just going to swap the intake, carb and whatever I can off of the the 1975 351 W that is currently in my 54. Does anyone have recomendations regarding a new distributor or a new timing gear I can use on my existing distributor. Any other advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
So...just to clarify....you're taking off all of the fuel injection system and going to make it a carbureted engine?
I did the same with an 89. It will probably be necessary to get timing gears for the camshaft for an early 351w so that your valve timing will be straight up.
If you leave the stock roller cam in there, you'll need to use a distributor gear that is the same material as the gear on the stock HEI distributor. One of our members (Paul aka Imsoquazy) went through having a bronze distributor gear disintegrate after a couple hundred miles.
Dan
I did the same with an 89. It will probably be necessary to get timing gears for the camshaft for an early 351w so that your valve timing will be straight up.
If you leave the stock roller cam in there, you'll need to use a distributor gear that is the same material as the gear on the stock HEI distributor. One of our members (Paul aka Imsoquazy) went through having a bronze distributor gear disintegrate after a couple hundred miles.
Dan
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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I have had nothing but excellent luck with MSD products. I have Pro billet 8350's on both my 351C and 429. While a bit pricey I would recommend the 8354 for your 351W and if you are running a roller cam, change the cam gear to the bronze since I have been told roller cams are hard on the normal gear and can cause problems.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,192
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From: Burbank, WA
Yes, you need a steel distributor gear to match the roller cam. I'm not 100% positive, but you could probably take the gear off the efi dizzy and use it on your original dizzy and be fine. Lots of places will have the correct gear for your application, too, if you can tell them what you're doing and what you need.
see next to last paragraph...
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/distributor_gears/
see next to last paragraph...
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/distributor_gears/
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
A '75 engine would have a really smog-friendly timing curve in the dizzy and carb. That was about the low point of carbureted engines. I'd guess the vacuum advance both advances and retards the timing? An earlier or aftermarket dizzy like the MSD would really kick it up a notch.
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Distributor recommendation
I would like to know if you guys have an experience with one of those D.U.I. performance distributors, i'm working with a 1974 351M engine with hydraulic roller cam for my 1968 F100 pick up truck, this is my first time building an engine and a person recommend me this distributor.
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From: Central Oregon
I can't help on the DUI, but I did use a TSP HEI on my 289 and am happy with it. Single wire hook-up sealed the deal for me (and $38 shipped at the time). Keep in mind if you go with an HEI that it is a large cap (I had to space my air cleaner up an inch to clear).
Fleet Owner
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From: NM
Before springing for the TSP chinese part, check to see if it uses standard OEM cap and rotor, advance springs, etc. and whether the internals (electronics) are available as spares. The big advantage of MSD and retrofitted OEM distributors is that spares are readily available and reasonable.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
I'm pretty sure that you don't want that bronze gear. I'm not entirely sure which one you want but I do know that a bronze gear can disintegrate over time if it is matched to a camshaft with a hardened steal gear. The key is to go with whatever the camshaft manufacturer recommends. In your case, the ticket would be to find out what the gear material is for the stock HEI distributor. Either use that gear, or one made of the same material.
I think you'll be very happy with that 351w with a carb on it. Mine is from an 89 F150 and is working out well. The 89 is a flat tappet engine, but it's working for me!!
Dan
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Thank You Dan,
Just FYI I have called comp cams, first technician recommend me melonized gear, and another one sent me an email and recommend me bronze, and the guys from the distributor company told me to use the standard gear but they will contact comp cams and take the final decision.
Now I need to get the flywheel, headers and transmission, probably the tranny just one from the junk yard just to start the engine 351 M,
Just FYI I have called comp cams, first technician recommend me melonized gear, and another one sent me an email and recommend me bronze, and the guys from the distributor company told me to use the standard gear but they will contact comp cams and take the final decision.
Now I need to get the flywheel, headers and transmission, probably the tranny just one from the junk yard just to start the engine 351 M,
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