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Technical IF you can fit a chevy distributor to an 8ba

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by nobby, Mar 21, 2023.

  1. nobby
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,392

    nobby
    Member

    does that mean you can run a hei dizzy?
    or is that beyond the pale
     
  2. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 17,428

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Yep. In the 90’s Ed Newitt’s roadster had a Chevrolet HEI distributor fitted to his blown flathead. I drove it at El Mirage and Bonneville.
     
    Packrat likes this.
  3. Model A Gomez
    Joined: Aug 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,864

    Model A Gomez
    Member

    there were also Chrysler distributors that can be used, don't have the information but is a smaller distributor.
     
  4. Fortunateson
    Joined: Apr 30, 2012
    Posts: 5,749

    Fortunateson
    Member

    Bubba on the Ford Barn used to adapt them for flatheads I believe.
     
  5. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,950

    Kiwi 4d
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    9AC9114D-93E7-476C-A3E3-C96BDF320F59.jpeg Cringe , but for some reason guys do mount these uglies. The link in my mind is a much kinder option to the eyes. HEI, man thats a big ugly turd to mount on a flathead. We have a YC SBC with a Black Cap on one 8BA and an early tach drive Mallory with a two piece cap on another, they look like they belong. Bubba did our early Mallory with a Tubman trash can condenser.

    https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=i&url=https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/diy-chevy-to-flathead-distributor-conversion-threads.1144583/&psig=AOvVaw1kjJEO_CcQRxvmM6DGsWHE&ust=1679510516392000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA4QjhxqFwoTCPj7objW7f0CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAs WHY WOULD You USE THESE ???ATTACH=full]5682465[/ATTACH] D160B682-B1C4-4147-BB70-93ACC2E8B9D2.jpeg HEI , man thats a big ugly turd to mount on a flathead. We have an early two piece Mallory on one 8BA and a turned down SBC with a Black Cap on another. The distributor wants to look discrete and that it belongs there.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2023
  6. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,722

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    Boom!! SBC distributor to Flathead tech

    I had thought about it for a hot second, I'm gonna wait until I find an el cheapo 8BA Mallory unit at a local swapmeet, sitting there all lonely, it's owner clueless to its application...
     
  7. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 8,361

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    If you don't get lucky, get an SBC Mallory flattop (they're usually a lot cheaper) and have Charlie Scwendler convert it to flathead use.

    I have to agree with HEI units being "****-ugly".
     
    Alaska Jim and anthony myrick like this.
  8. banjorear
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 4,879

    banjorear
    Member

    Yep. Found a tach drive SBC unit @ Hershey that I plan to do the conversion to.
     
  9. BamaMav
    Joined: Jun 19, 2011
    Posts: 6,969

    BamaMav
    Member Emeritus
    from Berry, AL

    GM factory HEI looks best buried up in the firewall where you can't see it! An exception to that is the 3rd gen Camaro small cap version, they don't look quite as bad but still not as good as an old school points cap does.
     
    tommyd and VANDENPLAS like this.
  10. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,722

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    Ooohh! Hadn't thought about that! I was just researching flathead tach drive options. I already have two, a Mallory flat cap one and a factory C2 Corvette one. I'll add this option to that list...
     
  11. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 8,187

    A Boner
    Member

    Any pics…I’m not familiar with them.
     
  12. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 39,144

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    the reason that the later distributors are smaller is that they have no mech or vac advance mechanisms. all the timing needs were handled by the cars computer. surely nothing that belongs on a traditional car IMHO
     
    Budget36, irishsteve and rusty valley like this.
  13. gary macdonald
    Joined: Jan 18, 2021
    Posts: 456

    gary macdonald
    Member

    03AA029F-B68D-4323-AC90-30BB4AF66596.png Speedway had a sale on their version of the MSD , was supposed to use a MSD box BUT can work as an HEI with the 4 prong hei module and an external coil . They were $34 each around Christmas of last year . I bought 3 , using one since first week of January with excellent results . These didn’t have vacuum advance but had completely adjustable mech advance .
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2023
  14. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,222

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'm just going to say that what works to run for a record at Bonneville may not fit in with our idea of what is Hamb friendly appearance wise. Those modern distributors just look too modern for an engine that is going to show up at traditional events and present it's self as traditional I've got a Mallory Marine YL small block distributor that Bubba said was a good choice to modify for a flathead. If I can convert the innards to work as an HEI setup with the module tucked away out of sight in a hidden spot I'll do it otherwise it is send it off to the current guy who does the mods and run the dual point.
    That said, I love the HEI distributors and run them on all of my OT GM engines that they fit on but I don't want them on any older rig that I am going to play show and tell at rod trots at and I don't consider my 71 GMC to be an "older rig" it is a daily driver work for it's keep rig.
     
  15. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 8,361

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Why Mallory went to the red and blue caps is beyond me. If it is a conventional cap. it can be painted with a paint meant especially for plastics with good results. Those with the "spark plug terminals" are completely inappropriate.

    If I read the Speedway ad correctly, the $139.99 price must be for returned units, as the bottom of the ad has the notation : "Buy it brand new for $223.99".

    A fine commentary on the quality of Speedway products. Everybody must have sent them back.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2023
    Tman and X38 like this.
  16. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 3,751

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    I’m grabbing the popcorn kids, what do we want to drink………
     
  17. I’m commenting just so I can find the thread easier.
    I’ve got DrPepper
     
    joel, 210superair, A Boner and 2 others like this.
  18. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 39,144

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Install all the computers you like on your car. Please do not post about it here. This is a traditional hot rod forum that focuses on 1965 and older build styles. Just because there were computers in the 40's they sure as hell were not on automobiles until 40 or so years later
     
    tommyd, F-ONE and lumpy 63 like this.
  19. lippy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2006
    Posts: 6,856

    lippy
    Member
    from Ks

    OR, a vertex mag will work. :)
     
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  20. X38
    Joined: Feb 27, 2005
    Posts: 17,498

    X38
    Member

    Unless you towed it in the equivalent of The Long Long Trailer.;):D
     
    Bandit Billy and lumpy 63 like this.
  21. wheeltramp brian
    Joined: Jun 11, 2010
    Posts: 3,442

    wheeltramp brian
    Member

    I know that GMC Bubba has retired but does anybody still convert the Chevy points distributors to the Flathead 8ba that isn't 500 bucks?
     
  22. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 15,462

    Budget36
    Member

    I can recall what he did, years ago I had him do one for a buddies v8 Stude engine.
    He machined a Dodge/Chrysler reluctor to press fit on the shaft and used the Dodge/Chrysler pickup. (Not sure of the actual name) I ***ume he also knew how to phase it properly.
    He used the older style of GM Module and it was mounted remotely in a cool finned aluminum box that acted as a heat sink as well I guess.
    I recall the wires being soldered onto the module, but damned if I can recall the other ends, I know I didn’t solder anything though. Think it was just 4 wires.
    Did I confuse you enough yet;)

    Edit: This wouldn’t take into account for other modifications for the distributor to fit it properly, just the points to electronic conversion.
     
  23. tommyd
    Joined: Dec 10, 2010
    Posts: 12,001

    tommyd
    Member
    from South Indy

  24. V8 Bob
    Joined: Feb 6, 2007
    Posts: 3,187

    V8 Bob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Contact Charlie NY (Charlie Schwendler-716-662-9159) over on the Ford Barn. I don't know the currant pricing but when I bought mine many years ago it was very fair.
     
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  25. 210superair
    Joined: Jun 23, 2020
    Posts: 2,301

    210superair
    Member
    from Michigan

    Man this is a thread about putting a Chevy sparkelator on a flattie. If anyone wants to argue over electronic ignition, there's like five gazillion threads doing that.....
    focus-miyagi.gif
     
    tommyd likes this.
  26. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,768

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Years ago Buba converted a SBC distributor for my 8ba. Love it except for the window cap. I did find a Pertronix cap without a window but for the price I didn't hate the window cap that much.
     
    210superair likes this.
  27. dwollam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 2,875

    dwollam
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I remember those quite a few years back! Being a Mopar guy and not a Chevy guy I would like any info on doing a Chrysler distributor for my 8ba Ford. I did some searches but have found anything yet. Any help guys?

    Dave
     
  28. dan c
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,660

    dan c
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    i have a '50 ford sedan/flathead that came with the big, old HEI conversion. works great, but it does kinda dwarf the rest of the engine!
     
  29. V8 Bob
    Joined: Feb 6, 2007
    Posts: 3,187

    V8 Bob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Bill Sinclair's 1991 book "Thunder Road Flathead" details the modifications to '73 up 318" electronic distributors for 8BAs. The Chryslers require more work than the OE Chevys, including some welding, along with finding parts today. I'm a Ford guy, but the Chevy point distributor in my 8BA is hardly noticeable and works great! You can always have an aftermarket performance distributor, like an old Mallory designed for a Chevy, modified for your flathead where it will look "normal".
     
    joel likes this.
  30. dwollam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 2,875

    dwollam
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks for the info! I have a chevy/flathead dist as well as a new Mallory dual point flathead dist and am running an old brown 2 piece cap Mallory in my '40 w/8ba. Latest effort is for the 8ba going into my '32 Fordor which will probably be 6 volt as well. I don't want an electronic one but mods would be pretty much the same.

    Don't mean to hijack this thread.

    Dave

    P.S.
    Just ordered the book on fleabay!
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2023

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