Hi Folks,
I'm going to replace the loadamatic distributor in my 55 y block motor with a rebuilt 57 distributor. The only dizzys I have changed were(sorry) SBC. I know that I may have to swap gears between dizzy's but is there any other issues that you know of that I need to watch for. Many thanks for all the great info I've found here so far.
Mike

 

This site helped me out a lot.
I think the owner frequents this forum, but I will plug his site anyway because I like it so much. http://www.ford-y-block.com/
I have a 1956 272 y-block, and although i'm not all that happy with it, this site helped me to get it running better.
I went for a "newer" distributor in order to get the centrifugal advance. I assume you have a similar problem. The swap for mine was easy. No gear change needed.
The newer distributor (1960's I think) dropped right in.

 

Wrong forum shermy, but the changout is easy. Biggest thing to be careful of is being sure intermediate drive shaft of the oil pump engages the female end of the dizzy. Sometimes (not too often) they just dont want to match up, and you need someone to bump the starter while you are inserting the unit, helping the dizzy to drop on.
There was no gasket between the bottom flange and the block originally. I made one using a medium thickness of paper gasket material. Sometimes there is a problem getting the dizzy out. Not sure of the reason for this, but figure it has something to do with galvanic corrosion taking place between the aluminum flange and iron block, and thought the gasket would help. If you cant lift the distributor out, use a high quality penetrating oil, like Kroil, around the base (flange). It may take several applications and a little time and tapping.
A long time ago I was trying to pull the dizzy out of a 59 car that had sat in the junkyard without hood for many years. Ended up using a full size crow bar (not recommended), and it finally came loose. Very lucky it didnt break!
You do know that the newer distributor wont allow you to run the original carb, right?
Mike

 

Sorry guys I guess I wasn't awake yet when i posted this. Thanks for the info so far especially about the oil pump. I'm putting a 4 barrel on this and have a 4100 Autolite carburetor coming from KP Carbs right now. Thanks again, everyone have a nice safe weekend!!

 

I just assumed that the motor was in something older. Mine is in a 1941 1/2 ton.

 

Fix, you have a Y in a '41? Shermy, I like the 2100/4100 series of carbs a lot. The 4100s with 1.08 venturi's are the best match for 292s/312s, and IMHO would be the only possible match in a 4100 for a 272. Have fun!

 

Yeah it's got a y-block. The truck was originaly built in the late 60's. It was never finished and was nearly undrivable when I bought it in 2003. It still isn't very drivable. The engine overheats, the transmision is all wrong, and the remaining oilpan is almost non-existent.
The truck currently tops out at about 60mph.
I wouldn't recomend this setup. the oil pan was cut away and rewelded to clear the crossmember leaving it at least two quarts low. I have both a flex fan and an electric fan but it still overheats. It really could use the hood vents that are in the 46 hood I have. The new distributor I mentioned putting in it required the manufacture of a new dished firewall cover (you have to remove the distributor from inside the cab). The firewall has been moved back about two inches in the bottom to clear everything, and the exaust manifolds are mounted upside down in order to clear the frame rails.
This truck shure could use a small block. If it wasn't so good looking I'd tear it all apart and start again.

 

Fix, to keep from hijacking the post I'll start another.