I am in the process of building my new 292 motor.  I read about the issues with Cardone distributors and checked mine just in case.  I bought this distributor from Mac's Auto Supply about a year ago.  Sure enough, my distributor is one of the defective units.   The shaft is too short and the gear is in a different place. I have the pan off my engine, so I tested it in my block and the gear does not touch the load bearing surface in the block.  It's about 1/4" too high. Not only that, but the oil pump rod was not seating fully in the distributor.  I have a 1957 distributor that I was going to use as a core. I placed in in my block and it fits perfectly.

What should I do?  Should I use the 1957 distributor?  It's the type with the ball bearing advance plate.   I will need to buy a straight arm vacuum advance and probably convert it to a Pertronix module.  Can I swap the 1957 shaft into the Cardone distributor?  I don't want to run a modern ignition system.

"I'd like to have a better vacuum advance than the one that came with it. When I ordered the Cardone distributor, I think I specified a 64 one.

This is the vacuum canister it has now."

Why do you want the earlier style, appearance?

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Appearance and adjustability. The carb vacuum source has a threaded fitting. I have a short length of tubing with a fitting attached to the carb om one end and a piece if hose on the other running to the vacuum canister.



~DJ~ AKA "Bleach"
1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 30K original miles

There is an original 1957 Distributor on Ebay with the Vacuum Advance included. It has been converted to Dual Point but that comes off and the Ball Bearing Breaker Plate is intact and can be used as original with single Points and Condensor or Pertronix. Item # 382364996899. The  Kit if You want to see what it is look at Item # 312248624036. That's a hard Distributor to find because it is original and complete. Same Distributor I bought and installed on mine using Pertronix.

  

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There is a little difference in Advance Specs between the 292 and this 312 Distributor according to my Shop Manual but not much. Wouldn't be hard to adjust Specs. This has been listed for awhile because I don't think lookers realize the Dual Point is an ad on and can be switched back by removing 2 Screws. Looks like a good Unit if You want an Original.

  

In today's world, it is a good find (IMO).

I would want it just because of the ID Stamping. It would look period correct for a period resto (not dedicated).

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