Technical replacing early timing gear cover with later one

I have a harmon collin's 1400 dist. and want to install on a 221 ci . will a 239 timing cover bolt on.? Is the crank shaft relief the same?

 

3 bolt cover to 2 bolt...cover bolts on, but '42-48 cam is slightly longer in the snout than '32-42.
You MAY have, especially if cam is a hotrod one, a '42-8 cam with the Ford spacer that makes up the difference (the late cam with spacer became the standard replacement part long ago), and if so remove the spacer and done.
If no spacer, there is a spacer plate to make up the difference at the distributor flange but it is easier at that point to keep the early cover and use the Harmon Collins style adapter plate to 2 bolt, which is also the spacer needed.

 

Where can I find one. any body got one?

 

Order the adapter from speedway Like I did, fits perfect. Gary

 

@Bruce Lancaster if i was to find a 2 bolt cover, would i be able to use just that with my '37 engine i sent you a picture of last week without requiring a cam spacer?

 

Depends on cam...3 bolt setup uses longer cam, which might actually be a longer cam or might be a replacement short cam with a button...in which case yo can just remove the button, pulls right off once cover is remove. If long cam you needa spacer.