Hot Rods SBF Distributor

Need some help finding a distributor that will work on a Ford 289 with Tri-Power. I just received and installed my Tri-Power, which is Edelbrock Manifold and Strongburg 97 carbs. I'm having a difficult time finding a distributor which will clear the front carb when rotating to set timing and to clear the spark plug wire boot. Does anyone know of a distributor which works with a 289 running Strongburg 97 carbs?

Thanks
Ron

 

Standard Ford distributor with pre-electronic ignition cap should clear.

 

Would something like this Mallory dual point clear? It is a YL445HP. I bought it wondering if it would clear 3 deuces if I ever wanted to put those on my 66 289.

 

Looks like the cap is to large in Diameter from the picture. It also depends on type of carb you plan to use. I'm using Strongburg 97's and cap Diameter needs to be small along with height. Thanks for your reply

 

Stromberg

 

Are those 3-bolt er 4-bolt carbs????...... If they are 4-bolt, you need to flip the carbs around 180°...….

 

Yes should clear , those were made for boats (marine) for low clearance issues. Good unit by the way....

http://www.bubbasignition.com/mallory.html

 

Thanks GMC Bubba! Your opinion matters to me as I have 1 of your Chevy converted distributors in my flathead.

 

Thanks

 

3bolt

 

Thanks all for help. I have decided to try a stock 289 distributor based on several recommendations. Based on height and cap diameter it should work. Wish it did not have vacuum advance but can deal with that.

 

OEM point distributer , or DuraSpark with early cap should fit like a glove . If you are having trouble timing the beast , move the distributer one tooth , that should allow you enough room to time it as you want and not interfere with anything .

 

Keep your eyes open for a hipo 289 distributor from the k code 271 hp engine. It is a Ford factory dual point mechanical advance unit. If you don't want to deal with the dual points, it's an easy conversion to electronic with a Pertronix conversion.

 

Thanks for your feedback, I decided to go with stock 289 style distributor from Pertronix. It seems like it will work. I have not fired engine yet. This distributor has a vac*** advance module which I did not want so I removed the canister and secured the vac*** advance plate so it will not float around inside. Hope it works

 

No vac advance ?

 

You will need the vacuum advance on the street

 

Exactly as he said.
Just removing the vacuum advance will give you horrible results. A real mechanical advance distributor is engineered to work without the vacuum chamber and totally different.

 

Ford didn’t use vacuum advance on early Hi-Po engines

 

Yes you are so true ! No Vacuum Advance . You answered your own definition , High Performance designed for drag racing . Do as you wish , just keep us informed as to how it works out and what timing numbers you end up using in the end .

 

Vertex Mag. Lippy

 

If you were running a vacuum advance before the intake swap, expect to take a large hit on fuel economy...