Im trying to get a pertronix electronic ignition unit to fit and they are telling me this is an unusual ("unique" is actually what they said) part.



I sent them pics for reference when the ignitor III kit I bought wasnt even close....and got the above response.



I find reference on the web to an FEJ-12127-A2...but not to "-A" (the "A" is faint and crooked).

Other markings are and a stamped "H" under the FEJ...and "6A4" to the right of that.



Guys at Pertronix very nicely say that if I send the dizzy to them they will make me a unit for it.

Just thought I would try to find out what I have before taking them up on it.



I love the site and have found answers here ... but have never posted before.



Distributor has a full circumference machined seat in the throat of the centrifugal weight type distributer.

The breaker plate has an integral bearing raceway that fits tightly into that seat.

The elevated center portion of the breaker plate rotates on/inside those bearings for vacuum advance.

Dia of breaker plate is 3.375"

Total elevation (viewed from the side)of the breaker plate is .500".

Vacuum advance arm is straight.



I can link to pics if this is a mystery even to you guys.



Thanks much for any info.



Mporter88

After a bit more research I am seeing that 57 through 59 used this distributor with the ball bearing breaker plate.

The "A" vs. "A2" may not signify anything really.

This may just be the normal stock dizzy and I just dont have enough experience to know the diff.

I am just an amateur wrench.



Maybe I am just the first guy with a stock 57 distributor wanting to go electronic with Pertronix? (so their use of "unique" is maybe a little over spoken).



Still not positive though. Will keep monitoring here in case one of you guys can give me a word on this before I send the part to them.



Thanks.



Mporter88



Below is what I found on this.



"Early Y-Block distributors were vacuum only units referred to as Load-o-matic. These distributors picked up a vacuum signal from the carburetor and varied advance based on engine demand. The Load-o-matic distributors will not work with modified engines! Usually the early distributors have metal tags to identify the part number. When the cap is removed the advance springs are visible. These distributors were used from 1954-1956. 1956 4bbl. cars used a dual diaphragm advance unit.



Beginning in 1957 centrifugal advance was added. The body of the distributor is thicker and the springs are no longer visible with the cap removed. The rotor can be turned and will then spring back to it's static position. Part numbers are stamped into the body . These distributors used a full diameter breaker plate which rotates on ball bearings. The vacuum advance arm is straight. Points cap and rotor will not interchange with the '54-'56 distributors.



About 1959 the ball bearing breaker plate was replaced with a hinged plate which pivots on a single pin. The vacuum advance arm is curved. These units use the same points, cap and rotor as the '57-'59 units and later 289-302.



12127 is the identifier for a distributor. The last two digits indicate actual application.



YEARS PART NUMBER



1957-59 FEK or FEH 12127 Ball bearing breaker plate



1959 B9AF or B9TF 12127 Hinged breaker plate"

On a previous post texasmark1 had that type of distributor.

I am not familiar with Pertronix III

click on this link and check it out as he was using a Pertronixs in that early distributor

[url=http://www.y-blocksforever.com/forums/Topic36665-3-3.aspx][/url]

Just a suggestion; If your dissy is spot on and your happy with it, keep going. Or consider this as I did.

Quote from Oldcarmark;

Heres a question for you to consider.You can buy a rebuilt "late" distributor for $50.00 OR less.Application to ask for is 64F100 with 292.(last year used in N.America).Gives you fresh bushings,breaker plate,springs,points,condensor,primary wire, and a new adjustable vacuum advance to fine tune your timing curve..Much easier to "play" with these than the early style  and you can use your existing cap and wires.Anyone on this site that has upgraded carbs from original has had to purchase a late style distributor(myself included).Just an idea to consider. Your Pertronix kit should fit. I am running the pertroinx 2 with the matching 6 ohm coil. I ended up with the Autolite style dissy, unfortunately it didnt come with an adjustable vac advance and the timing plate was the slot style. Never the less.. I have just finshed modifying the slots and I now have timing set to 15 degrees initial with at total of 36 degrees, I used the Mr Gasket spring 295D and "bent the arms in a little" All my timing is in by the 2250 - 2400rpm range. The vacuum advance I haven't modified it seems to work just fine. Very happy with the result. Thanks to Steve and Mark.

"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Thanks for the link and the suggestion.



That link was right on point, complete with pics of my distributor.



I guess I am just the first guy with one of those 57-59 ball bearing breaker plates to want to install one of their kits.



I am going to go ahead and send the thing to pertronix. In return for letting them use me as a guinea pig

they are going to custom up an ignitor III module with a plate that will replace that .500" roller bearing one.



The benefits are too numerous and the cost too low for me to turn back now.



Thanks again!



PS..the vehicle is a 55 bird with a slightly built 57 Y 312 engine...sort of a topless chromeless rat rod that flies like hell and aims like a stagecoach.

Not much fun in traffic (I stick out the top of it like one of those turned wooden drivers in those old wooden toy cars)...but early on a Sunday morning, when the L.A. freeways are empty and the skies are clear, it's a hoot.

I have two of the ball bearing distributors that take the straight armed vacuum advance.  My suggestion is to buy the Pertronix.  If it doesnt fit return it.  The same points are used for '57-59 as are '60-64.  Therefore... 

Two years ago I made a buy it now on ebay from a guy with ebay store for Pertronix 1.  None of his applications listed Y-blocks.  I knew it would fit because it was a 1281, and had experience with 3 before.  He noticed my email name and said "Your not putting it on a Y-block are you?" , trying to persuade me out of the purchase.  According to him Pertronix said it wouldnt fit '57-64 Fords with 272-312.  WILL TOO!

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

The points are the same for the straight arm and crooked arm vacuum advance distributor.



The difference between the two distributors is the points are located 180^o opposite each other on the advance plate.



I don't remember.. does the pertronixs bolt to the 2 points fastener screws or does it catch one of the points screws and the other is the condenser screw. If the pertronixs hooks to the condenser screw it may not fit due to distances between the screws

If you send your distributor to Pertronix, you need to be assured that you will get your own unit back, as '57 T-Bird distributors are extremely hard to find, it's the only series with mechanical advance and tach drive.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Welcome to the site!

I recall using a Pertronix II kit for the earlier model distributors using a ball bearing breaker plate.   This was after purchasing a Pertronix III kit that would not work due to the plate assembly being supplied not fitting the ’57-’59 distributors, Y-Block or FE.  Ended up using the Pertronix III kit in a later model distributor.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Agreed with what has been said here, and to add I can't honestly say the P III is worth it? The II will do just fine AND I know it fits. As far as that goes some will tell you points will work just fine too.

Welcome to the site.

I wouldn't send it off either, to hard to come by.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK