Wanted: Crab distributor + timing cover

[Harlé Sylvain]

Hello
I am looking for an crab type ditributor, a timing cover, it 's to modify my flathead with the side distributor, there is no enouth place for it on the ford cab12


Thank's
Sylvain

[Lynn Eades]

Harle, you might have to make some changes around your carb as well. The advance system of the 8BA style distributor is all done by a dual vacuum system, I believe. I don't have any experience with it, but you need to know.

[rob love]

Isn't it neccessary to replace the camshaft as well?

[Lynn Eades]

Good point Rob. A bigger job!
Technically the timing gears change as well. They are cut the other way as the cam thrusts the other way
Harle, there are three different camshafts. The long one with no gear for the divers helmet distributor. The short cam for the Crab Dist. and your one with the gear, for the 8BA type distributor.
It is a big job. Heads off, and valves out. I hope you already knew this.

[RichardT10829]

I am running crab distributor on my 99T

Had to get the billet spacer to lift the dizzy away from the cover, other than that it was good to go.

[chris vickery]

Richard, as you have seen, the change over from a diver helmet to a crab style is relatively simple. It's just a case of having the correct timing cover to match your dizzy and the addition or deletion of the spacer plug.
The early 32-41 block used the 3 bolt type mount whilst the 42-48 used the 2 bolt type mount. The crab is a much better system with the use of the remote mounted coil which keeps it a lot cooler and not as subject to thermal breakdown as the diver's style coil.
There has been a lot of development in the hot rod world with this stuff, I see that there is now crab style dizzy available with built in electronic ignition.
As posted by previous fellows, the changeover from a late model 48-53 block is quite an involved task. Aside from the engine going into a 12 cab with limited room, most would ask why one would go backwards with the technology in place. I believe also that Merc camshafts can add another dimension into the already confusing scenario due to changes in dimensions as well.

[Harlé Sylvain]

HELLO
It's very mice from you to help me.

I have a bren new stock engine in my fat , it was installed in the truck but never start,it was certaily abandoned because of problems like the distributor.

It is an very similar engine to a post 1949 american engine, but build for the french army truck Simca from the 60th's untill the 80 th's

The distributor is about 2" too long, and is sticking on the side wall below the clutch pedal and it's difficult to make place!

So if it's also difficult to install a crabe distributor and I will have to find an other solution!!!! my manifold an my carb is also french made!


Thank for this informations


Sylvain

[chris vickery]

Sylvain
The fact that your flathead is a French made post war version for the Simca may also complicate things.
What I understand is that they are a copy of the American 8BA flathead but with superior castings to earlier US made blocks.
They also differ in the fact that the bellhousing is intergral to the block like an early flathead from 32-47 unlike the original US made 48-53 8BA block which had a separate bellhousing to fit the transmission. These are highly sought after engines by the hot rod community.
The French distributor cover is slightly different in the way the distributor mounts into it and is slightly longer where the dizzy goes in as the distributer itself was also a French design and differed slightly from its US counterpart..
I would have to only guess that if the internals are the exact same as a US made 8BA, then the work required to change over the timing cover will be extensive as previously outlined by other postings.
It is likely that at the very least, removal of the engine from the truck will be required.

[Lynn Eades]

Chris, Merc. camshafts are the same as Ford ones. The big 337 motor has bigger journals. That may be where you've picked that up.

[chris vickery]

I thought there was also an issue on length with the Merc vs Ford cams (Canadian/US versions)

[Harlé Sylvain]

Hello
problem is resolved!
Thank's to your helpful post, I found a solution, I remouved the engine and cut the original french distributor about one half inch, I put it on my lathe and turn it down .

Now I have enouth place!

Thank you again


Sylvain