I have some rebuilt Ford distributors that I can't identify. I'm familiar with the year and model ( C5DF-12127-C is 65 Falcon Autolite) but can't get the engine figured out. There is a 5BD that goes with it. I'm guessing that's for the engine. Is there a website where I can find this lookup info? I have some old parts books and have been looking on the computer but no luck so far. Thanks.
I can't see the pictures.....which if they were visible, would give us a lot more clues than your description does...
The 5BD is the build date code. Built the 4th week of February 1965. Jim is correct, pictures would help. There should also be some stamped numbers/letters on the tag denoting the engine/transmission code.
I didn't download any pictures. I have maybe 15 distributors to identify. The numbers on this particular one are C5DF-12127-C, 5BD and FOMOCO which are stamped on the distributor itself. There are no additional tags. There is a sticker from the rebuilder with a RM-26 on it. I also have one for an Econoline (same year) that has RM-23 on the rebuilder's sticker. Both are 6 cylinder. both look the same. I have a few that have a tag, but none of the info on them is legible. What I'm really looking for is a way to identify all the distributors (by model) somehow by number. I know it would help to have the pics, but it isn't just one or two I'm looking for. Thanks.
Theses days there are so many sources that the easiest thing is to just put it in a search box, and it will pop up. The 12127 always means "distributor", and the suffix is always important, the "C". It appears that you have a distributor for an early Bronco with a 170 "six"
Without the tag that was attached to the vacuum can mounting screw, it will be near impossible to nail down a specific application. Casting numbers are near useless in that regard, as Ford was famous for using up stock and unless an engineering change required a new casting, it was used multiple years. Some benchmarks may narrow down specifics- Ford went from Autolite to Motorcraft around 1971, so Autolite pre-dates that. Number of rotor lobes will reveal 6 cylinders vs. V8. 260/289/302 used 1/4" hex oil pump drives FE /351/Cleveland engines used 5/16" hex.
I've been able to find a few numbers for Ford distributors in Ford parts books that have been scanned and posted on line, but the pickings are slim for which models are available...so maybe you need to see if you can find some Ford parts books to look at? Is 1965 the only year you have a question about? this https://www.scribd.com/do***ent/340340331/Ford-Diagrams-and-Exploded-Views-65-72 is the type of thing you might find.
The Jalopy Journal
