How to choose distributor

Hello guys !

I need your help to choose a new distributor .
I have in my GTD a 302 CI with IDF 44 Weber .
I have a old modify distributor and would like to change .
My engine run well with 18° at idle and 38 total .

What distributor can I choose ? What is the best trigger style ?
Should I go to a mechanical only advance type or both with vaccuum ?
I will use it both road and track .

Thanks in advance for your help !
 

Doug S.

The protoplasm may be 72, but the spirit is 32!
Lifetime Supporter
If you use it on the street the vacuum advance type would be advisable. As I understand it, strictly mechanical advance mechanisms are pretty much race related.

Having said that, though, my Cobra replica uses a Mallory Unilite distributor that has only mechanical advance and it seems to work just fine on the street...however, it has required hundreds of dollars worth of maintenance that I doubt the vacuum advance type would require.

Cheers!

Doug
 

Randy V

Moderator-Admin
Staff member
Admin
Lifetime Supporter
Depending upon your intake manifold, most IR (Individual Runner) manifolds do not have a common vacuum plenum so a vacuum advance distributor would not work with that type of manifold.
You will likely need a small body distributor. The larger HEI distributor housings will not fit/clear either the manifold or the front most carb.
 
Go to MSD https://www.msdignition.com/. They not only have every type or distributor you could want but styles as well They have the small low clearance distributors that you will need http://www.msdignition.com/product.aspx?id=5527&terms=8456. They have many videos accessible from their site that will answer any questions you might have(tech support and MSD links). Their instructions are easy to follow and almost fool proof http://www.msdignition.com/StarterApps/Wiki/Wiki.aspx?wiki=1283. You will also get a good education from these videos as well https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=msd+ignition. When I was forced to change from coil on plug to a conventional distributor(wiring and timing problems), they had the explanation of how to do it and still use the computer for the timing etc. Most informative site you will find.

Bill
 

Randy V

Moderator-Admin
Staff member
Admin
Lifetime Supporter
Since it was made for 1982 and earlier Ford 289/302 variants, I am presuming that it has an iron gear on it. Be aware that if you ise an iron gear on a steel billet roller cam, that the gears are not compatible and they may both be destroyed in short order.. I looked on the installation instructions PDF file and it did not state the gear construction..
 

Steve

Supporter
Exactly what Randy said! Check with your cam manufacturer as to what type of gear they recommend on the distributor: steel, bronze, or iron. Iron is usually only used for older hydraulic (not roller) cams.
 
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