I converted a Petronixs ign setup for a 351 Ford to fit my early Chry hemi dual point. I got it sparking real good but didn't try it on a running motor yet. Dave A.
It's so easy to fit a LA distributor with box to a early hemi i don't know why any one bothers with the other stuff . I ran one with a drive,shaft , and pump which were all LA parts. identical to early Chrysler bits but of beeter quality. I wasn't ecen too sure what model LA engine my dissy came from ,possibly a 318 but it worked perfectly with a orange box.
The late model small block electronic mopar distributor >1974 is an excellant part. you should get the advance recurved cuz it is set up for emissions. also keep the vacuum advance max vac advance 10 deg. suggested mechanical curve normally aspirated all in by 3000 rpm. total advance on hemi is less than wedge. blown motor 28 deg. total advance 18 deg. centrifugal all in by2200 rpm, 10 deg. initial AGO 32 Ford with blown 354 Hemi, Tremec 5 sp. Winters QC
I had to use a mallory for clearence issues, the MSD distributor would not fit under the 8-71. For the cap, i used a grommet that squeezes into the sparkplug tube and holds the plugwire perfectly in the center, tuno water in the be and a nice look. 30 ford coupe-blown 392-lotsa fun
Been meaning to post this link to a TECH article on an SBC distributor conversion for use on an early Hemi that Kerry did. Now you don't have to buy a silly adapter that makes an SBC distributor stand up too high... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279829 Thank you Kerry!
I had my Desoto updated by GMC Bubba using stock late model chrysler components. It all fit under the stock cap and looks like a gennie. Ask bubba for the details.... Spoons
Hello..Used a NEW Vortex Mag to dyno a 392 opened up to 452 with 6x2 X3 intake, Stromberg 97s. It seemed like the Mag didn't put out a real hot spark(What should the spark gap be). Pull sheet showed rich at low end, lean mid and rich at top end..Spark plugs never looked like they go hot..O2 sensor read from 12.?? to 14.??..I believe that a good HEI with ignition box(to set the spark) and 50 or 60K coil would have burned the air fuel much better..Last pull was 579 HP..This should be a 600+ engine.. Duane.
I'm not sure why this never got added, but here's a GREAT tech from Kerry on converting an SBC Magneto for use in with an early Hemi! Well done! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279829&highlight=hemi+magneto
Wire problem for me... Where do you find the snap on type ends for the 7mm wires. I have a nice set from NAPA, but they won't snap on the plug with the little clip on it. If I take it off, then it goes on the spark plug(Very loosely) end but doesn't snap on. I'm running no covers but have the 426 boots. My buddie said just cover them with the insulator and they wont come loose cause the boot cover will hold them on the plug. I pulled a wire off the 354 sitting in the corner, slid it on the insulator and it snaps right on.... 1st pic... wire w/ end on it is from a 354 I have sitting around 2nd pic is the type of clips you get now 3rd pic is a side by side comparision
I got out of it easy. Last year I scored an NOS DeSoto 345 Adventurer dual point distributor. A Pertronix unit inside will do the trick. I didn't want to use it, but I can't find an IBK or IAZ dual point distributor...
73RR (Gary, of Quality Engineered Components) did this great little tech feature on LA style distributor conversions and using a 392 oil pump drive shaft. If you're planning on swapping your dizzy for a later one... you need to see this!! Big thanks to Gary! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=357793
I'm getting ready to fire my 354 with a Vertex mag. I've got solid core ignition wires. I've read that I should be using non-resistive spark plugs. Does anybody got a brand/part number to recommend? I was thinking about getting the mill running and carbs set using the chrysler distributor...does it matter as far as tuning and simplicity? Kurt
318 LA (NAPA Auto), put pertronixs in. Went in my 241 Red Ram. With the 340 oil pump convertion, the intermediate shaft had to shortened..Ran the points at 35 gap reset to 42 and what a difference.. Duane.
Check the box to see where they are made. Alot of chinese junk showing up....not the best quality... .
Here's some discussion on dual coil ignitions that may be of interest to some... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366262
I'm thinking of installing an electronic SB-LA distributor on a 354 poly... How much difference would there be in the shaft-length? The poly motor is still in a car and I have no intentions of removing/altering the intermediate shaft as I also don't have a good/straight enough drill press to drill into hardened steel. Or how about swapping the electronic LA-distributor internals into the stock 354 distributor? How simple would that be, anyone done this already once?
The LA shaft is about ¼" short, look thru the conversion thread again for the comparison pics. I do not recommend, but I have seen where folks have blobbed some weld material on the tang to add the needed length then ground it to fit. It is also possible to cut the shaft and press a custom sleeve over each end...alignment may be an issue... Yes, it is possible to swap the guts, also saw this done many years ago but you will be dealing with expensive cap and rotor. .
Thanks. I was checking things out yesterday and comparing a LA-distr. with a stock 392 distributor in my garage and I almost put the saw on the shaft of the LA distributor to put a roughly 3/4" extension sleeve on it until it dawned to me that a 354 distr. might be different in length and such. So I decided I'd better have a look around on the HAMB first where I had indeed seen topics about this. Your topic had put me on the wrong track at first because of the use of a 392 shaft in a 354 motor. But now I've got a good visual it all makes sense. I'm afraid I'll be 'blobbing the tang' aswell tonight. (Wow, if that doesn't sound wrong I dunno what does...)
good timing with this thread popping back up. I just fitted a 318-360 dizzy into my 270. I can tell you that a MSD ready-to-run dizzy will not clear a 3x2 manifold on the 270....
Looking for some info on my distributor. The part number on the tag says: IBB-4105-a 19 2 The Hemi parts number book I have has a 4106-a. That says it's for a Dodge Truck - Late 55-56 331 w/Tach. Any idea what I have? I need a cap for the one I have. It's a dual point distributor. What part number do I get for the cap? Also, there's a little fitting sticking out the side. It has a spring loaded cap that flips up to cover a small hole. What's that for? Is that for a vacuum line? I don't see any electrical connections on the distibutor...should there be wires connected to this, or just the plug wires on the cap? Here are some pictures of the distributor I have. you can see the small fitting I'm talking about on the left lower edge over my finger.
Timing fluctuation? You have a new distributor...new intermediate gear....new timing chain and gears..yet your timing is not consistent. Whats wrong? A common problem with Mopar small blocks, big blocks, and the early hemis. Most of the time it can be associated with the intermediate shaft not staying where it should be..... seated on the lower bushing. This item is not a new idea of mine by any means, but it is a new product that I now manufacture and sell. This collar clamps onto the distributor shaft and keeps the intermediate shaft and gear from climbing or bouncing. It is anodized aluminum with a nylon patch stainless steel Allen screw to secure it. It is also a split collar....so that it clamps 360 degrees around the shaft (ok...maybe 358 degrees....since there is a slot), unlike the solid collars available with a single set screw.... which only hit the shaft in two places...the set screw and 180 degrees opposite. It is NOT a generic .500 inch collar that many dealers sell. You know....the ones you hear about falling into the oil pan? The ones you have to wind down with full force to get them to stay. My collars are custom machined to fit the Mopar distributor shafts. They slide on snug and are easy to adjust. If you have a timing problem, maybe this info will be of some help.
Another early-to-later 331 question, but jumping to this thread. Can a dual-point distributor from an early 331 (say 51-53) Chrysler engine be used on a '56 Dodge 315 Poly? Aren't all those '56 and earlier distributors basically the same, except that the later Poly was a single point distributor? Thanks again, Jay
I can't tell you anything about your distributor, but I think it's safe to say the little flap and fitting you speak of that comes off the side is for oiling. With that being said, I have an LA type distributor that has a hole for one of these but the fitting is not in place and it just has a plastic cap in it. Should the lube fitting be added and how often should these fittings be attended to?
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