In a previous thread, I asked if a tapered metal insert on the end of the distributor shaft was removalble and what was its purpose. I think I found the answer. On page 73 of the 1956 Ford shop manual, there is a note in the middle of the left hand column.

"NOTE: If the distributor has been removed from a 6-cylinder engine, be sure the oil pump intermediate shaft engages the seat in the oil pump. On 8-cylinder engines, make sure the distributor shaft engages the oil pump intermediate hex shaft. It may be necessary to turn over the engine with the starter, after the distributor drive gear is partially engaged, in order to engage the intermediate shaft. "

I assume that the tapered metal insert is the "oil pump intermediate shaft" and the distributor I bought was on a 6-cylinder engine. It appears that the oil pump intermediate shaft is not part of the oil pump on the 6-cylinder engine, it is seated in the oil pump whereas it is part of the oil pump on an 8-cylinder engine and the hex end of the shaft fits over it in the oil pump.

So now the question is, if this is infact a 6-cylinder distributor - can it be modified to operate on an 8-cylinder? I must admit that I know very little about distributors and how they operate - but I am trying to learn. I assumed that the part number (C3TF 12127) of this distributor was on a 1963-64 Ford truck with an 8-cylinder 292 yblock. Can someone decode this part number?

Danny:

If that is a 6 cylinder distributor, it will have 6 lobes on the cam that actuates the points. An 8 cylinder one will have 8 lobes. I doubt an 8 cylinder cap will fit on a 6 cylinder distributor.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks, John. Can you tell from this picture it is an 8-cylinder distributor?

It's an eight cylinder. You can see 6 of the lobes in the picture.

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

The distributor gear looks too big to be a Y-Block. I wonder if that is a 332 CI HD distributor or maybe a 239 gear.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

John, my thoughts too! somethings not quite right, the housing looks short like an FE but shaft looks longer ? i wonder how many teeth on gear.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

The distributor was sent out today for delivery. I assume it will be several more days before I get it. When I do get it, I will have more details about it.

Thanks,

Danny

The gear is larger than the ones in our y-blocks. Y-blocks have 14 teeth and the larger one has 18 teeth, no interchanging their.

-Gary Burnette-