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By mars54 - 15 Years Ago
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Hi, I have a 1957 292, I'm bringng it back to life , keeping it stock just had the carb rebuilt (2100) and replaced the fuel pump. would like some input on replacing the stock distributer (options). Looking for better performance, mileage. Thanks Mario
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By Park Olson - 15 Years Ago
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The dist. itself should be fine, put a Pertronix unit in it, better starting, more precise timeing. Others will be along shortly, I'm sure 
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By mars54 - 15 Years Ago
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Hi, Thanks for the input, sound like you were expecting rebuttals to your posting :-).
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By JJ - 15 Years Ago
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There are always rebuttals and varying opinions. That's what makes things so interesting. Great minds at work. 
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By hotrodnailhead - 15 Years Ago
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I've used pertronix in several cars and have had excellent results. I'm a big fan. I don't like the look of a billet distributor, or HEI style stuff. Especially in a car with an exposed engine.
I also like the original pertronix more than the new ones with the built in dwell adjustments.
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By crenwelge - 15 Years Ago
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If you primary interest is in bringing her back to life, a stock 57 distributor is fine. 56 and earlier distributors were a poor design in my opinion, but lots of them ran lotsa miles.
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By Ted - 15 Years Ago
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First insure that the engine does indeed have a ’57 and up distributor. With engine and parts swaps being prevalent back in their day, you want to make sure you don’t have a ’56 and earlier Load-O-Matic distributor being used on a ’57 and up engine. Curved points in the ’57 and up distributor and straight points in the ’56 and earlier distributors. If the distributor is the original ’57 distributor, then it likely needs a good checkout simply due to its age. The ball bearing advance plates in those distributors have a tendency to stick or freeze in place making the vacuum advance inoperable. While checking out the distributor, insure that the mechanical advance springs under the breaker plate are intact and that the mechanical advance portion of the distributor works freely. And last but not least, insure that the vacuum advance chamber itself holds a vacuum.
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By mars54 - 15 Years Ago
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Thanks all for your inputs. I agree I have to confirm I have a 1957 distributer, so far I know have a 54 timing cover,fuel pump and water pump. I've owned this car for years and it ran great until the fuel pump failed and then it sat in my garage way too long. Currently replaced fuel pump,carb rebuilt, gas tank drained and refinished. I figured while I was at it how about improving the distributer which led to this posting. Thanks Mario
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By GREENBIRD56 - 15 Years Ago
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I think Ted and others here are on the right track - see if what you have is the right part - in good working order and go from there. New plug wires should be high on your list. Here are a couple of links to articles by our Mustang cousins.....they might help you recondition the unit you have. http://www.mustangmonthly.com/techarticles/mump_0904_how_to_rebuild__autolite_motorcraft_distributors/index.html http://www.mustangmonthly.com/techarticles/mump_0702_ford_mustang_distributor_rebuild/index.html My earliest attempt at an upgrade years ago was a point switched "CD box" and it did both of the things you mentioned earlier - easier starting and better gas mileage. So long as the dizzy is in good shape - both advance systems working properly - its probably as big a bang for your buck as can be found.
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By easyissy - 15 Years Ago
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If your looking to get rid of the points I used this system from Accel which was half the price of the petronix unit. No problems with it, easy to install; looks stock from the outside. Just in case your on a budget like myself http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ACCEL-POINTS-ELIMINATOR-KIT-1957-1974-FORD-V-8-2020-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b68e1942QQitemZ170566490434QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 15 Years Ago
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I see a red flag here. A '54 timing cover would make me suspicious, could someone have put a '54 engine in the car? If so, it will have a vacuum only distributor. Is a 2100 Holley a 3 bolt carb? That would not be '57 issue. What are the block and head casting numbers? A '54 engine would be only 239 cubic inches, and would be down on power compared to a 272 or 292.
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By crenwelge - 15 Years Ago
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I agree that a 54 timing cover could mean a 54 engine with load o matic. What kind of carb does it have? If its a load o matic distributor it will need something like a Holley 94 to match it.
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By Y block Billy - 15 Years Ago
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First of all you have 54 in your signature, you don't say what you have for a car, if it is a 54 you may not have what you were told for an engine and it may be original. is it 12 volt or 6, need more specifics. does it have the springs exposed on the top of the advance plate? What are the engine block numbers?
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By mars54 - 15 Years Ago
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Hi, The car is a 1954 Mercury Monterrey, was converted to 12V by previous owner. EDB-E 6015 is marked near distributer and where the generator was located.I cheded these numbers against the database at John Mummerts site which led me to believe the block is a 1957 292???? I just found out about the two types of distributers but haven't had a opportunity to determine which type is currently installed. I haven't had a chance to get the casting numbers off the heads yet either.Thanks for all the inputs. Mario
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By GREENBIRD56 - 15 Years Ago
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If you pop the cap off the distributor for a look - this is the older Load-O-Matic unit....the two visible springs are a quick clue - has "straight" points set. 
And below this is the later (after '57) where there is a pivoting point plate and mechanical advance hidden below..... has curved point set - no springs showing. 
There is an obvious difference in how the spark rotor fits on the top of the rotor shaft as well.
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By mars54 - 15 Years Ago
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Hi, Thanks for the photos I appreciate it. Mario
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By mars54 - 15 Years Ago
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Hi Steve, Just took a look and I have the later model 2nd photo distributer. Mario
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By GREENBIRD56 - 15 Years Ago
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I hate to be the chief quiz-master but does the base of the distributor look like this?....Autolite 
Or does it have a "three-lobed" stem below the advance housing like this one?........ Motorcraft 
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By mars54 - 15 Years Ago
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Hi, I'm sure you have a good reason for asking, as soon as I find out I'll get back to you. Thanks
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By GREENBIRD56 - 15 Years Ago
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The two different models of distributor (Autolite and Motorcraft) - have two different mechanical advance mechanisms under the point plates. If you want to heat the ignition up a bit - maybe change the ignition advance curve - it will take a little different approach for each type.
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By mars54 - 15 Years Ago
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Hi Steve, The distributor I have is the Autolite model. Thanks Again Mario
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