I have to replace the distributor in my 1994 F-250 with 351. I need to know whether the old distributor has a cast iron or steel gear, so I can get the right replacement. Can this be determined from the VIN or anything like that?

 

Does your 351w have a roller cam?

Can you reuse your old distributor gear?

 

If the engine in your truck is original, the block casting should say this above where the starter bolts on:



That means you have a roller cam block & should need a steel gear.

The only "without a doubt method" to find out is to pull the intake.

 

F4TE is the giveaway in the casting number. Push rod length can be used to check roller vs flat tappet as well; checking that is less involved than intake removal. I don't have the lengths memorized though, would need to Google that..

 

Yeah, forgot push rod length.

Stock length on my roller is 7.50 inch so there's that.

 

You should note that 94 could have either types.
An original F4TE block in 94 doesn't necessarily mean a roll cam as some have found out.

 

A F4TE has taller lifter bores & drilled lifter valley for the spider.

Whether or not it has a roller cam set up is another matter.

If he has a digit less than 4, or letter before F, it's a regular cam block.

 

8 3/16" for a stock flat tappet pushrod.

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Are you saying that if he has a roller cam block w/o a roller cam he will still need the steel gear?

 

If he has flat tappet lifters he needs a cast gear.

Ford makes running changes or uses what's on hand.

You never can tell.

Chances are LONG...but possibility in 94 exists.

Or the engine could be changed.

Good practices verses taking a leap of faith. His call.

 

Sorry I didn't respond for a long time. At the moment I'm a few thousand miles away from my truck. But I did pull the distributor before I left and took some good pictures of the gear. Is it possible to tell by looking at it whether it's cast or steel? I can post pics later.

 

No thanks. It has 229,000 miles and still doesn't use a drop of oil, no leaks, no blowby. I want to keep it.

 

I think what he meant was it's possible a previous owner replaced the engine with a flat tappet 5.8L. If you're the original owner then obviously you'd know.

As far as I know, you can't tell the difference in the gears by appearance. Transferring the old gear to the new distributor is an option. Or, pull a valve cover and one rocker arm so you can measure a push rod.

Chances are high you have a roller motor, but it isn't guaranteed.

 

You got it.