technical - '54 Ford needs a late model distributor


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By hotdoger1 - 11 Years Ago
I have a 54 ford want to put 57 distributor in. where do I hook the vacuum line to make it work. thanks for your help
By alanfreeman - 11 Years Ago
If you are still running a stock 239 Y Block,  the '57 distributor will not work.  The only correct stock Ford distributor for 239 and 256 V-8's  is the "Loadomatic" which came on the engine.  Alan S. Freeman
By pintoplumber - 11 Years Ago
If you have a 239 the 57 and up distributor isn't a drop in replacement, but you can do it. The 13 tooth gear from the old distributor must be put on the new one. The oil pump and hex drive must be put on replacing the tang drive.
By Hoosier Hurricane - 11 Years Ago

The '57 distributor can be installed in the '54, but you will have to use the '54 driven gear on the '57 distributor.  Also, a '55 or later oil pump and drive rod will have to be installed.  The '54 uses a flat tang to drive the pump, the later one uses a hex shaft.  The later cap and rotor will be required also.  It can be run without vacuum advance if you want, but the advance curve will need to be tweaked for maximum performance.  The vacuum advance can be connected to manifold vacuum, but you need to be careful to not provide too much total advance.  When  it is all sorted out, I think you will be pleased with the results.
By Ted - 11 Years Ago

Here’s the link to an article explaining how to convert the Holley 94 two barrel carburetor so it has a ported or timed vacuum signal to make it compatible for use with the '57 and newer distributors.

http://www.eatonbalancing.com/blog/2010/02/07/modifying-the-holley-94-two-barrel-for-late-model-distributors/ 

As John and Dennis bring up, the later model distributor will need the distributor gear, oil pump and oil pump drive swapped out to work in the ’54 239 engines.