Distributor advice?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Brandon MS
Distributor advice?
I bought a gran torino yesterday for the drivetrain and someone had robbed the distributor and ignition coil. Im not sure if its a 351c or 351w engine will the distributor be different between these two engines and should I get a single or dual vacuum distributor. Im going to check the casting numbers today but thought you guys could help with my decision. I also believe I want to convert it to no points. Just need some info please...
Freshman User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 28
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From: Wheatfield, Indiana
Depends on what year. I can provide a distributor,if you need,just let me know. Actually,the points work just fine. I can recurve it for a litte more performance. visit www.428cobrajetcars.homestead.com for more info. I work cheap too
Mark let me post under his name.
Mark let me post under his name.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 108
From: Northshore, MN
6 valve cover bolts=351W
8 valve cover bolts=351C/400. 7.75" across the top two bellhousing bolts indicates a 400.
distributors are different between the two.
Perhaps a recurve, and pertronix ignitor will serve you well?
8 valve cover bolts=351C/400. 7.75" across the top two bellhousing bolts indicates a 400.
distributors are different between the two.
Perhaps a recurve, and pertronix ignitor will serve you well?
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Brandon MS
Thanks guys I got the starter off today and I believe I lucked out on this engine. the casting numbers read D2AE-CA which I understand is a 351 cobra jet. please correct me if im wrong but that is what the coder I found online said. I was missing a few brackets and I went and found them at a u pull junkyard today. The engine I took the parts off of was a 400 in a 71 LTD. Not sure I need a cobra jet in my truck but it might make for some easy horsepower. The engine already has a edelbrock performer intake and 800 performer carb and has long tube headers. I also pulled one of the valve covers out of curiousity and it had nice looking roller rockers. Someone really put some money out on this thing before they lost interest. The car itself is in poor condition but I picked it up for 1100.00 and there are some other goodies in it too like a b&m shifter and it has a nine inch rear end. Plus I believe the trans is a c6. the bad was that someone had robbed all the ignition stuff it has no coil or distributor and the car has sat up for at least three years so I may have to put a little time in the fuel system just to get it to fire up to make sure its okay before I pull it to put in my truck.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 108
From: Northshore, MN
Sounds like you got a 351C, to verify, look for a 2 or 4 in the corner of the heads.
BTW, can you get me that '71 400? I'll also pay for the shipping!
Ah, heck, who am I kidding? I can't afford anything.
That 400 is pre smogged and is the desired 400 of all the years they were made...next to the 1973 FMX block.
BTW, can you get me that '71 400? I'll also pay for the shipping!
Ah, heck, who am I kidding? I can't afford anything.
That 400 is pre smogged and is the desired 400 of all the years they were made...next to the 1973 FMX block.
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From: Brandon MS
Yeah I got a 2 in the corner of the heads. I went out today and put a single vacuum distributor in and got all my brackets and stuff back on the engine. Now I am having a brain fart. I need to wire the coil now. I know the negative side goes to the distributor. and i also know the positive needs to have 12 volts then drop to around 8. Keep in mind i didnt grow up on these older vehicles. I started on stuff from mostly late eighties and up. How do I need to hook up the positive side in order to have the twelve initially and then drop off to eight? I know im retarded lol.
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From: Brandon MS
I guess my question should be if I run an inline ballast resistor will that keep it from getting the full twelve when I am starting or does it bring the voltage down after the initial start. I know the car should have a resistor wire but some PO has really got me scratching my head with the wires on this car. Im just trying to get it going so I can run it long enough to make sure the engine is road worthy before sinking it in my truck.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,793
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From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
The distributor that you installed, does it have points (requires a ballast) gets it 12v start boost from the Solenoid ............or electronic (no ballast used),
............. I think!
............. I think!
