Cadillac 331/365/390 Aftermarket Distributors

I am actively searching for something a little more exciting than stock. So, how about a concise list of aftermarket performance distros for the Cadillac V8s?

Also, I think I read that there is a difference from early to late? Please expand on this. Model numbers and years they fit will certainly help here. Please note whether replacement parts are available for your unit. Pics of your rare n.o.s. distributor and/or magnetos get you bonus innernetz.

I've seen what's in the odd ball thread, but its not a lot. I know you guys have some stuff to show off...Thanks!!!!

 

Maybe the morning crowd will have some input...

 

convert your points to pertronix,,,keeping you old dist.

http://www.pertronix.com/

 

Hey thanks, but I've already got pertronix. Nothing wrong with pertornix, it works great. But I am looking for something with a more period correct performance vibe.

 

That's one thing I've yet to come across Terd. I have never seen a cool dizzy for a Cad.

What about a dual point and polish it like I did? Any way of converting a SBC dual point or magneto to a cad like they do on HEMI's?

What about a Chromed original distributor? Then send it to GMC bubba to be put together again and such.

 

There are aftermarket options but they are hard to find. Mallory Magspark, Rotofaze, Duospark, and Hunt mag. There may be more, but I'm not aware. I'm looking for info on the exact cutoff year for the early vs. late distros as I think I read there are differences. Model numbers if anyone has them will help my search. The autofair is getting close and I'm really hoping to find something cool there.

But if I don't find anything, I'll be glad to run the stocker cleaned up really nice, maybe polished and with a nice aftermarket cap. This will be the last piece of the puzzle to complete what I want my engine to be.

Now if I can just get the tweeker chromer to answer his phone I'll be in business!!!

 

maybe get in touch with gmc bubba

 

It is no real problem to convert any 8 cylinder distributer with correct rotation to fit a Cad or other engine. You can easily buy a new Rotophaze from Joe Panak. All the insides are '55 type Ford. Or if you want to be different just to be different here is the dual plug setup I used on my Banger. By phasing the two distributors at 45 Degrees it would work on a V8. Spark wise the thing would think it was two four cylinder engines. You would get twice the dwell. Twice the points. All that stuff. I di a 90 degree Chevy V6 once also with two 3 cylinder Chrysler outboard Mallory distributers.

 

gmc bubba is converting a sbc spalding flamethower to cadillac for me. vertex gets expensive because of the rotation.

 

Thanks for the info! May I ask the cost on a conversion like this?

 

Pontiac dual points are a good candidate to modify for the '49-'53 Cadillac engines, and they have the correct direction of rotation.

 

49 to 53 or 54 had a dog drive 55 and newer had a gear on the dist. Joe Panek built the dist for my roadster. Not cheap but excellent workmanship.
I have a Mallory duel point in my 48. Works great when set up right. There was another brand DuPoint I think. no DuCoil. I had one but sold it before I ever ran it. I also have a stock dog drive Cad. dist with aftermarket duel point setup.

 

Thanks for the pics. I like the first engine a bunch! That looks great!! My engine is a later '58 365.

I'm mainly looking for model numbers I can check for at this huge upcoming swap meet next month. I'm hoping I can find something there. I just want to have information on my side so I don't accidentally buy one for an Olds mislabeled as Cad or similar. If I'm lucky enough to find one that is.

 

If you see an old Mallory with an I.D. number of 303, grab it.

 

Where is the swapmeet next month? Sorry to jack the thread!

 

Duly noted! That's what I'm looking for.

Charlotte Autofair, April 7-11

 

I have all of the Mallory and W&H part numbers at home. I think that the Mallory for 1949-51 is a ZC283, and Heathen is correct that the 1955-62 is a ZC303. See picture with Vertex mag for Cadillac. The W&H DuCoil was a D11D for the later motors. Jackson Roto-Faze as well. I will try and look tonight for more part #s in my notebook.

 

Awesome! Just what I'm looking for! And thanks for the pics!!!

 

What's the rotation of the stock piece? That'll have major impact on what other -aftermarket or other G.M.-can be adapted. Check with Bubba.

 

I had a mallory converted I think it was buick, I took the machine shop a stock distrubutor and they just made a fancy sleeve for the mallory I ll have to take a picture.the distributor spins counter-clock wise

 

A 248 Mallory also fits the early short drive engines, and looks identical to the 283.

 

so you do not want centrifical or vacuum advance,,,,you will have set you timing at about 35 to 39 degrees at idle.

most racing type dist. do have advance mech.

 

Mallorys:
ZC248 = 1949-51
ZC283= 1952-53
ZC303= 1954-62

YC series are same #s but are centrifical advance only.

W&H DuCoil:
D21D= 1949-53
D22D= 1954-62

"D"= street
"C"= competition

I don't know for sure what Spaulding did for part numbers on the Flamethrowers. I thought that I had a few written down, but could not find them tonight in a quick search.

Hope this helps, good luck in your searches.

 

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

 

Brock49 thanks for that info. This is a thread I am watching

 

Brock, thanks so much!!! That's just what I'm after!!! I appreciate it!

 

So for Caddy, would the ZC248 and the ZC283 be interchangeable? I don't know any differences between '51 and '52 to justify another part number for the dizzy...


Edit:

Thanks HEATHEN!

 

If a W&H has a "S" at the end that designates the DuPoint...dual points but single coil.

 

Hope these come up OK to save, enlarge and print...can be a big help at the swap meets

 

More awesome info! Thanks!!!