GM Distributor

Does anyone know why GM put the distributor in the rear of their V8 motors.Back when point's where your only option,I can remember thinking what a dumb idea lit was. Getting the screws started in the point's and condenser,was quite a challenge.

 

Cause the oil pump is back there...I'm glad it worked out they way its done....rear sump is much easier for engine swaps

 

that's where God intended them to be

 

From '57 on, all of the General Motors V8s had the window in the distributor cap that made adjusting the points a snap, no matter where the distributor was.

 

It looks better too in Hot Rods without hoods.

 

Having the distributor in the front is a terrible design---------especially in a performance application. No well designed performance engine should have the distributor in the front. Here are a few examples of poorly designed engines that would never win any type of compe***ive event:

 

To increase wheelbarrow sales.

 

because back then gas was 25 cents a gallon, cars were big enough for a real engine compartment where it didn't make a tinkersdamn where the distributor was.

 

I'd love to find one of those old conversions that allowed you to put the sbc dist. in the front of the engine, probably a pita but I think theyre kinda cool...

 

That is funny!! Great looking engine, thanks for sharing.

 

That's funny, right there!!!

 

I can guess that D.R. Smith doesn't have a Y block in his F-100 panel. Who would have thunk that Ford of all manufactures would put a distributor right there in that spot.

 

And if it was good enough for GM it was good enough for John Q. Public

 

They did it because of oil pan and pump design for packaging of the engine into various vehicles. But from a performance stand point it is a terrible design as it makes ignition timing very unstable due to camshaft "whipping", it also puts a larger load on the rear cam bearings. They finally figured it out on their NASCAR motors with R07 motor of 2009.
Of course that motor so closely resembles the Ford NASCAR FR9 that one team put a Ford head on a R07 and made it run!

 

Well your first problem is that it's GM....mopar's where it's at *big grin*

1shot

 

The best reason was when you launch a car the fluid is forced to the rear of the pan. Works just as well to just have the pic up for oil back there. Then baffle it. You guys going back an forth about my Chevy is better then your Ford all know it just comes down to who has the most bucks. PPHHHHTTTTT

 

What did the mechanics think about the 57/8 Fords with the hoods that opened backwards. That would have made it more difficult to change a thermostat, water pump problems on those I'm sure.

 

Yep, GM sure let two slip by with 67(?)-up Cadillac and Buick V8s with distributors up front.

 

So it looks like there is no real reason.Just another case of the guy designing it didn't have to wok on it.Just like the backward hoods.

 

It may seem odd placement to front distributor supporters but I never had a Chevy engine die due to moisture in the distributor while driving on a rainy night.

 

It's just purtier back there

 

So old Fords could go fast.

 

Reminds of when I worked in a shop with a couple O.T. early 80's Fairlane loaners with 6cylinders. If you drove through a puddle with them they would quit. We ended up putting some factory Ford condoms on them and they were good after.