Building a performance flathead. Whats the best distributor/ignition to use ? Most bang for the buck. Either 8ba or 59ab ?
JWL's book Flathead Facts is loaded with dyno results of damn near every flathead modification you can think of, plus one or two you wouldn't think of. A must have for any flathead fan.
If 59A style, you could do way worse than a stock distributor in good condition; if 8BA, I'd look for a vintage Mallory.....the new ones aren't nearly as good as the old style with the waterproof cap.
If going with the 8BA style, I'd recommend one of Bubba's converted Chev distributors. The crab style on the 59A is hard to beat. I like the looks of the crab on a flatty.
Main thing for performance and response is a good advance curve...the '42-48 setup has that, and is an easy and cheap solution. Aftermarket ones will need careful checking and testing...some have problems here. A consideration is use of engine as well...the '49-53 setup results in a longer engine, significant if it is going in an early car.
Pertronix now makes a nice conversion for the 59A type pan cake dist. If you run the late type 8BA I would put a Pertronix conversion in one of the early original Mallory dist the type that use's the two piece cap. Like Bruce said the advance curve in the dist should be checked no matter which way that way you have the best possible performance.
For an 8BA setup, I had really good luck with Bubba's modified Chevy distributor. Cant beat price either. Find him here on the HAMB. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Got one, Pertronix converted crab distributor, from Bubba's with a Pertronix Ignitor II - just went 5500 miles w/no problems ...
Been running a reworked early 80's Chrysler 318 electronic dissy on my 8ba for the last 75000 miles. works great. pm me if you want more info
We can do whatever you need for the flathead from a Vertex Mag to a chevrolet conversion. Whatever way you go we got it covered..... Let us know when you are ready....
We do mags as well, convert the Vertex to fit and run in the flathead . Mags really are not a problem , however they are very misunderstood. First of all a used mag costs anywhere from 300 to 600 bucks and may even then need some work. Many of the used mags dont provide a lot of spark at flathead cranking speed and need work. The other issue is ever action a mag does is violent and draws lots of power to make them work. So mags arent for every body. If you want the look and the functionallity of a mag we stock a couple used ones from time to time. I have one ready to machine and would sell it for $550 set up for the flathead.
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