Thank you all for the information, and yes the distributor I purchased was the wrong one. I found a good used 57 distributor and will let you know how it works out when it gets here. Rock auto parts has gotten all other parts I ordered correct, so I didn't suspect this to be wrong, I thought it might be me. Thanks again, Bill

I've got a 57 and up distributor in my 239. It fits. Sounds like you don't have the right distributor.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

I haven't owned a 256 or 239, but that discussion comes up a lot. The gear and pump drive are correct, as you and pegleg said. If the body won't fit in the block, I'd double check to see you've really got a y block dist. Someone here will know for sure.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

It will but make sure to use the same drive gear that the Mercury has. Probably 13 tooth, not 14.



Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I have a 54 Mercury with the 256 engine and have used adapters and a 1 inch spacer to install a newer style Holly 4 barrel carb, and I was wondering if the 1957 distributor would work in this block so I can have both centrifugal and vacuum advance. I know about the oil pump and hex drive change needed as well as the drive gear swap. I bought a 61 292 distributor but the housing dimensions are larger than the block  opening. Has anyone else used the 57 distributor in this block or will I have to remachine the 61 housing to fit.
Thanks in advance, Bill