Distributer; Load-o-matic v. Holley
 

advance curve? what the...?
I got a rude awakening last night about loadomatic distributers, Holley carbs, and advance curves.
I freely admit to a lack of knowledge, my fundamental knowledge of 4 strokes comes from motorcycle mechanics. For 35 years, I static timed Harley Davidsons as they have only mechanical advance mechanisms

QUESTION;
Will my Zenith 228 carb work with this aftermarket (?) Holley distributer?
To better phrase it, will it work well?

"Knowledge, if not progress"

The loadomatic as you know was a vacuum advance only type distributor, no mechanical advance. It must be used with the factory type carburetor.

If you install a post '56 distributor, believe you could use the original carburetor, but might have to connect the vacuum advance to a source of manifold vacuum. Not too sure on that. Most stock engines probably run better connected to "ported" vacuum source, above the throttle plates, but the loadomatic carbs had some kind of "venturi" vacuum port or somesuch.

The picture you posted here https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post17210189
shows a Loadamatic type distributor. The pics of the Zenith carb are not complete enough to see if it has Loadamatic connections.

the bleed is a tube in the intake manifold.
looks like a gotta get the old degree wheel out?

I don't know what a degree wheel will do. Manifold vacuum will give some advance, but not as designed. I don't know of any other distributor that will work in a 226, unless you have one custom made (there are people who can do that), which typically includes electronic ignition, mechanical advance, as well as vacuum advance operating off manifold vacuum.

Are you sure there is no vacuum connection on the carb itself, just above the throttle blades? It may be plugged. If not, quickest/cheapest route is to get a carb off a 226 that has Loadamatic porting and connection.

PS It would help if you put your engine info in your Signature, go to UserCP and click on "edit Signature"

Well I'll be darned, it must've grown another vacuum spigot.
But which hooks to the distributer and where does the other go?
Is there a T-fitting? Perhaps another impossible to find gadget...cars is hard!

my signature...

The lower one is definitely manifold vacuum. The one on the carb could be ported vacuum, which is not the same as Loadamatic vacuum. You need someone with a Ford carb on a 226 to post a pic of where their Loadamatic connection it.

looks like the manifold is plugged and the carb is the vacuum source.

I would use the degree wheel to static time the total advance...21-23' btdc

.

Are you sure there is no vacuum connection on the carb itself, just above the throttle blades? It may be plugged. If not, quickest/cheapest route is to get a carb off a 226 that has Loadamatic porting and connection.



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...5865&showall=1

The manifold vacuum is for the windshield wipers, not needed with an engine on the stand. That engine has a stock Ford/Holley carb on it, with the Loadamatic connection. That's what you need, unless you can confirm that the upper connection on your Zenith is a true Loadamatic connection.