Ok i am a bit lost, I have a bone stock 272 engine with a 2 barrel carb in my 56 f100. I would like to change the manifold to accomodate a 4 barrel carb or tri power. as far as I know from what I have been told..is that if i make that change I must get a new distributor for a 57 y block. is that a must for either project? i have recently been told that if just want to change to a 4 barrel carb with a 4 barel manifold that a new distributor is not necessary. can anyone help with this.

Lawdogg1;

If you want to use a 56 4bbl intake and let's say a 56 4 bbl carb like a teapot, you can still use your 56 dizzy which is a vacuum only dizzy. If you want to upgrade to a 57 or later intake manifold like a ECZ-9425B, you can use a modern 4bbl carb because the base will match the intake. However, you will need to change to a 57 or later dizzy which has both the vacuum and mechanical advance.

Hope this helps.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

When going to a later 2v or 4v carb a 57 and up distributor is a must period.

-Gary Burnette-

do a search for "loadamatic" on the forum here and you will see what we mean...

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Only Ford and VW used a system for advancing ignition timing by referencing air flow through the carb venturi. carbs and distributers up to 56 used this system. 57 and later y blocks use conventional mechanical and timed vacumme advance.

To do it right, it's a bit of a pain as it requires a different dizzy, manifold and carb but the results are worth it. With increased crispness and response and (perceived) additional power everywhere you wonder why you didn't do it earlier.  

cheers

Warren

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)