Just wondering what modifications have been done on one of these Cadillac Flathead distributors. It is fast coming to a time that I will need to consider my options. Can dizzy tops portion be swapped out or what, this is not an area of have much knowledge in. I guess other makes and model mods maybe help here also. I have attached pic's and as space is an issue I would not want to get much bigger cap size wise.
Not sure what kind of modifications you are looking to do, but we have installed a PerTronix (electronic ignition) in the Flathead Caddy dist.
What do you need to accomplish? It really should not need much beyand being put into good working condition.
I was just thing more along the lines of having a newer top section with an easy to get cap and maybe ability to get rid of the points etc. More like what is being used in newer ignition systems.
Havent done a caddy but would be willing to do one for cost of parts only. let me know what your end result is going to be????
Thanks Bubba, I will PM you later, but my end result, that is why I said I have no knowledge in this department, what does your question actually mean? Put your reply up so others can read it and learn also. Thanks, Russ.
If you want the nostolgic look of an early aluminum dual point distributor, it shouldn't be difficult to modify an old Mallory to work in your Cadillac. Just determine whether it turns CW or CCW, and find a cheap Mallory at a swap meet or on Ebay and shorten the shaft. Since the Caddy distributor has a very short shaft with a simple "tang" style drive, it would be a matter of cutting the housing and shaft shorter and adapting the stock drive to it.
.....or, if you're lucky enough to find an old 8 cylinder Mallory with a "13" stamped on the I.D. tag, that's the one you need.
Once again, PerTronix makes a conversion to electronic for your distributor, ans just about any other dist for that matter.
I guess its all about the end "look" you are after , the mallory with the two piece cap would be a good choice or the small block chevrolet old school look etc. Can you make it shorter , do ya want a crab cap, etc.....endless posibilities for sure ???? Electronic would not really be a problem. Or just a good rebuild and set up on the stocker with new points etc.
I'm looking for some distributor mods for the flatcad too. The distributor is attached to a 10" or so extension tube and inner shaft. I was thinking of making a shorter tube so the cap part wasn't so high. Typical GM products having dizzy's way back in the firewall! I don't think the outer tube is hard, just some machining on the inner "drive-shaft", esp if its hardened. And also if there is some inner oil line that I don't know about. Any thoughts on that Russ or anyone? travis aka zibo
Yeah Trav, I think you are probably correct in your ***umptions and I suspect I could do that part of it. I just can't get my head around the very top bit that is the housing for the electronics etc. Bubba has offered help but I think I am going to think a few things thru 1st just to ensure if I want to really go electronic or stay traditional. I guess if somebody came on and has done it and could give me a good report on the out come I may just follow their route.
I just finished an hei conversion, and it was easy. I'm at work for two weeks, but when I get home I'll post pics. I'm not into secrets, so here is how it works. It takes a lot more machine work to lower the position of the cap, so mine will sit stock height. The older hei's, not the computer operated ones, share the same shaft size as the flathead. The aluminum housing on the hei can be cut off, and turned down to the original size. The 2 prong gear on the original is held on by a peened roll pin. Remove the roll pin, put the gear on the hei, drill, and pin. The hold down on the original will also work on the hei, so an hour or two work, and you are done. The pics, when I can post them, will help clarify this a lot.
Russ, Here are the pics of the two I did. Small cap, remote coil is the red one. Black one is a modern HEI, with the coil in the cap.
I would simply install an M.S.D or CRANE ignition system using the stock points as a trigger. This combo works very well for me in my race car as well as my Supercharged Caddy flat-head powered '33 Ford p.u. The points will not burn,even without the condenser, and the length of time between adjustments is amazing. And lets not forget the incredible spark that there is with this combo.
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