I converted my 5.0 HO to a carb. It had a long shaft distributor. i.e the shaft below the gear is 1.5 inches long. Most of the aftermarket distributors are short shaft, 1.0 onches. So, can I use a short shaft unit in my 5.0. This is critical since it engages much less of the oil pump shaft. Much is at stake here so I need the correct information. BTW I do not have nor do I want the original Ford unit.
EZ solution: http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-289-30...Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d151354a5&vxp=mtr The internals are the same as Chevrolet used for years available anywhere,only one 10 gauge wire to the solenoid to hook it up and it's a done deal.
Thanks Jeff... I have one of these on the engine now. It works well but it is enormous. I was looking for a small cap distributor to clean up the engine compartment to make more room for a/c installation. After much searching I suppose I will just keep it.
I'm using a Procomp 7002. It's a small cap distributer with a separate coil. I've got about 7000 miles on it and have had to replace the module, other than that it's OK. Around $75.
If you are indeed using a 5.0 HO motor that was originally EFI, and is still using a roller cam, the simplest, most cost effective solution is to get a 1985 Mustang GT 5speed Duraspark distributor (the designations are critical...don't get one for an automatic). It will be the correct length, correct cam gear material (steel, not bronze), smaller in size than the aftermarket HEI units (which, IMO, look terrible on a Ford engine), and easy to obtain at nearly any auto parts store.
That's because the '85 HO 5.0 was the first year roller cam, 5.0 cars with AOD's were not HO's and were still flat tappet with the standard length distributors also the non HO Fords were carried on up through 1989.Ford also confused things by using the same block codes through the 80's and there are blocks that are tapped and threaded for the roller cam "spider" but still flat tappet cam motors. The "freak" motor of the bunch was 1986 5.0's flat top pistons with no valve reliefs so a cam change is out of the picture and had the E6 heads which flowed like ****,not really a good donor for a swap 1987 brought about forged pistons with reliefs and better flowing E7 heads.
1985 GT automatic transmission cars used CFI (central fuel injection....similar to Chevy's TBI setup, but nothing like the 86+ SEFI), and not a Holley 4bbl carb, in addition to being no-HO flat tappet engines. As such, the distributors are not the same, and definitely NOT interchangeable. JeffB2 is correct about the '86 5.0HO engine not having valve reliefs....however, an E7 head swap is possible without changing pistons/cutting valve reliefs, but NOT if you swap cams (from my own personal experience). The 86 GT heads ****....their best use is for a boat anchor.
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