do i need new distributor?

This might be an amateur question but new to the car scene. Installing a new wiring harness on 52 ford 239 flathead and converting to 12 volt. While searching for new coil i was told i need to put in new electronic distributor because of "point bounce" that will be a permanent problem if i don't. True or just trying to get a sell?

Thanks for any advise.

 

Sounds like he's trying to make a sale.

If you aren't having any problems with the distributor with 6 volts, you shouldn't have any problems at 12.

Assuming it has fresh GOOD points (read: Not Chinese), the spring tension should be fine to prevent the points from floating.

 

The point bounce business is crap, and a point type distributor can run perfectly well with attention only annually or so. Avoid whoever is giving this advice. Obviously, condition of shaft and bushings is more critical with points than electronic.
On the negative side, the '49-52 Ford distributor has a poor advance system, and performance will be enhanced, especially at full throttle, with almost any other distributor you can get.

 

Keep in mind that the stock distributor for the 49-53 flatheads has a vaccuum advance hooked up to the carb. If you are running more than one carburetor, you will need a different distributor, probably one with a mechanical advance.

 

different engine, but my 235 runs fine with the original distributor.

 

Thanks for the info guys. The hot rod and custom supply was the site that told me about "points bounce". Not sure if they are good or not but thats where i got that info.

 

For the RPM's a flattie turns you should be fine, but i believe mallory makes kits for dual points that wouldnt be abad idea, might have a little stiffer springs on the points

 

I'll probably get flak for this but I ran the petronix kit on my flattie, it made it start better, keep time better and run cooler. Some people have longetivity problems with petronix kits, I never had any trouble with mine.

 

You also should have a ballast resistor to keep it at 6 volts to the coil, only in the run position. And some other types of resistors or you could fry the old gauges.

 

Thanks 53sled, i am putting a new 12 volt coil in and have some runtz for the gauges.

 

You will need to run a resistor.

 

sorry for being a dumbass on this subject but again i am new to this, any more details on that?

 

Not if the old one isn't broke.

You'll probably never ever rev that flatty enough to worry about point bounce. Just keep good points in it and drive it like you stole it.

 

You need a resistor if it is for an OEM use that used a resistor or if it is an aftermarket one that calls for a resistor. Get the one specified...not all are the same.

 

This thread is another example that there are no stupid questions. My old man always said that stupid questions were a lot easier to answer than stupid mistakes. Good luck with that flattie.....