Shaft diameter of FE distributor?
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: West Plains, MO
Shaft diameter of FE distributor?
I'm building a 390 from a pile of unrelated parts... long block is together, intake ready to go on.
I bought this new distributor, planning to convert my '65 F-350 to Duraspark:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...120756&jsn=450
...and it won't go into the block!
No, it is not hitting the oil pump driveshaft. It's almost an inch from seated. Cam gear isn't engaged either.
What I think is happening is that the end of the shaft is bigger than the small hole in the block. So either it wasn't machined correctly, or for some reason the block bore isn't big enough. Given the country of origin and the low price, I suspect the former.
Does anyone have an FE distributor they can measure the snout diameter? Aren't they all the same for FE's... thanks.
I bought this new distributor, planning to convert my '65 F-350 to Duraspark:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...120756&jsn=450
...and it won't go into the block!
No, it is not hitting the oil pump driveshaft. It's almost an inch from seated. Cam gear isn't engaged either.
What I think is happening is that the end of the shaft is bigger than the small hole in the block. So either it wasn't machined correctly, or for some reason the block bore isn't big enough. Given the country of origin and the low price, I suspect the former.
Does anyone have an FE distributor they can measure the snout diameter? Aren't they all the same for FE's... thanks.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 596
Likes: 58
From: West Plains, MO
Thanks, but the oil pump shaft is definitely 1/4". More importantly, the shaft is nowhere near engaging with the hex socket in the snout.
On fordfe.com, I received some actual measurements. Hole in the block is .453 and the pilot diameter is .450.
Now to measure the distributor I got! Also more later
On fordfe.com, I received some actual measurements. Hole in the block is .453 and the pilot diameter is .450.
Now to measure the distributor I got! Also more later
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 596
Likes: 58
From: West Plains, MO
Found the problem. Hole in the block measures at .451 with a telescoping gauge and micrometer... but the snout is .454 and a few tenths! Offshore manufacturing tolerances 
I considered slightly enlarging the hole. But then I noticed the distributor also has no indexing tab for the cap! Don't know if that's design or sloppy assembly. Back it goes.
I considered slightly enlarging the hole. But then I noticed the distributor also has no indexing tab for the cap! Don't know if that's design or sloppy assembly. Back it goes.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 596
Likes: 58
From: West Plains, MO
yep. I shoulda known better 
Is there a reasonably priced one that you would recommend? This is going in a truck, not a race car. Won't see over 4000 rpm. I installed a Pertronix module in my old engine (still in the truck) and it's worked fine for many years, but was thinking of upgrading to a Duraspark or even an HEI setup.
Is there a reasonably priced one that you would recommend? This is going in a truck, not a race car. Won't see over 4000 rpm. I installed a Pertronix module in my old engine (still in the truck) and it's worked fine for many years, but was thinking of upgrading to a Duraspark or even an HEI setup.
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