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My guess is that distributor is a re-man. That is the replacement style vacuum canister, and the breaker plate is the 1972 and up style which is way better than the old Autolite plate. All the V8 points distributors used the same cap and rotor. Motorcraft DH-6 cap and Motorcraft DR-5 rotor.
A correct original distributor should have a date code on it that precedes the date of the truck by a few days to a few months at most. At least from 1955 through 1964 they had FoMoCo in script letters cast into the distributor along with the base number -12127-. They then stamped each with a prefix, suffix and date code of the day the distributor was assembled.
Here's a 3MB (December 2nd, 1963) date code C3TF-12127-K - good for a very late calendar 1963 (1964 model year) built to early calendar 1964 292 V8 for example.
Starting in 1965 they went to the FoMoCo block lettering like this one below.
This one a 6BC (February 3rd, 1966) date code C6TF-12127-AF - good for an early 1966 300 (but not 240 since they used the Load-O-Matic) 6-cylinder in this case.
It can be easy to tell if a distributor is definitely NOT original or if it is potentially original or plays the part well.
The original vacuum advance canisters had a removeable fitting on the front with a threaded opening for the fitting to screw into.
Visibly distinct from the one-piece replacement canisters.
A correct original distributor should have a date code on it that precedes the date of the truck by a few days to a few months at most. At least from 1955 through 1964 they had FoMoCo in script letters cast into the distributor along with the base number -12127-. They then stamped each with a prefix, suffix and date code of the day the distributor was assembled.
Here's a 3MB (December 2nd, 1963) date code C3TF-12127-K - good for a very late calendar 1963 (1964 model year) built to early calendar 1964 292 V8 for example.
Starting in 1965 they went to the FoMoCo block lettering like this one below.
This one a 6BC (February 3rd, 1966) date code C6TF-12127-AF - good for an early 1966 300 (but not 240 since they used the Load-O-Matic) 6-cylinder in this case.
It can be easy to tell if a distributor is definitely NOT original or if it is potentially original or plays the part well.
The original vacuum advance canisters had a removeable fitting on the front with a threaded opening for the fitting to screw into.
Visibly distinct from the one-piece replacement canisters.
So these are the only markings on mine. (Truck is a '66 250 with the 352)
The Motorcraft brand was not introduced until 1972, so that housing isn't original to your truck. It is likely a service replacement distributor. And then the Pertronix igniter used, which is a fine choice.
Well now I need to figure out exactly what cap is meant to work on this distributor. I started out wanting to swap in a new rotor and cap and I couldn't get ANY rotor to sit right down on the shaft. New or original. And it wouldn't run at all. So I removed this black plastic piece which is part of the pertronix system and the rotor would sit fine, but it still wouldn't run with a new cap. So back in with the old cap, new rotor and the black pertrobix piece. Bare in mind with that black piece, the rotor would barely go down far enough to lock in place, but it fired right up. God only knows how the rotor is staying in place.
I believe - but not positive - that you have a Pertronix 1 module there. If so, the black piece has 8 magnets in it that each create a Hall Effect to fire the applicable cylinder. I would think there should not be any problem opening up the middle center of the black piece so the rotor center passes through it and seats a bit better. As long as the black piece spins with the distributor cam and the rotor it should pass by the stationary Pertronix module and create the energy to fire that cylinder. Might sound funny but I'd probably put the black piece in the freezer while I found a drill bit just slightly bigger than the base of the rotor. After a couple of hours pull out the black piece and drill the center of it. Freezing the plastic makes it easier to drill without it burning the plastic. Works with rubber, too.
Since ALL Ford points distributors used the same cap and rotor why don't you remove those white spacers and see if the reluctor will go down enough to let the rotor fully seat.
I think I see what's going on here. Looking at the pictures it appears that the reluctor when seated all the way may be contacting the spring that holds the breaker plate together. That would account for someone putting spacers under the reluctor. If that's the case, then he needs to call pertronix and find out why. I don't know if they even make a pertronix 1 anymore. @Dodgeyaussie if there is interference and you have to call Pertronix be sure to mention you have the Motorcraft breaker plate.
It looks like it is still available. In looking at the first picture below it almost looks like the magnetic sleeve reluctor has a larger center hole, doesn't it? Or is it just me?
I've been talking with Pertronix some today and sent one of their tech support guys links to the same web pages and pictures of what is going on. Andy (I also talked to Daryl, their AI chatbot but that wasn't helpful) wasn't aware of the Motorcraft breaker plate with the tower spring, so I sent him pictures of just the breaker plate and what it looks like in a distributor. I thought that was interesting, but they do deal with a ton of different vehicles, so he just hadn't run across the design, I guess. He said don't drill the sleeve so hold on that thought. He did think they may have a different kit for it but I'll wait to see what he has to say in email if I hear back.
The 1281 and 1281DV are different. 1281DV is for dual points so that's why the picture on Amazon is showing a different magnetic sleeve.
Here's a write-up of doing a Pertronix II where there is a Motorcraft breaker plate and he doesn't have any spacers in place that are obvious and doesn't mention any issues. Same number on the magnetic sleeve. Pertronix is also scratching their heads, so they aren't aware of any issues it seems.
