Spalding Grant Flamethrowers....... whos run-in one?

I've got an old Spalding/Grant flamethrower
distributor that I want to run in my 58 283 chevy
motor.
Anybody with a history and use of one of these baby's.

Does any place still have parts for these?

TIA..... Mike
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I ran one years ago. I still have it. It's basicly 2 4 cyl ignition systems. One for each bank. Each side has it's own balast resistor, coil, condenser and set of points. Some had a vacuum advance on the top side but most were used for racing and were strictly mecanical. It's main advantage was less point float at high RPMS. Probably not a great system for the street but it really looks cool. I'd run it again.

 

There is a fella running around here with one on a 6x2 olds motor....I will ask him if I remember. In fact, a while ago he said he had most of one for my nailhead, so Im curios too.... -J.

 

They sure look good, I've never ran one but I almost bought 2 of them for a SBC from a dude at a swap for 75 bucks. I kick myself for not doing it, even tho Deyomatic passed on a no-name 3x2 with carbs(Holley 94's)for 125 from the same guy.
-Jesse

 

Well, I guess these babys have become garage art.
Mine is goin back on the street.

Thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like we
could all use some more info on parts etc. if
its out there. I did here someone was rebuilding
them and upgrading the dual points to electronic.
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"OPOSSUM BENDERS"
Central Missouri Chapter

 

Yes they can be converted to electronic as shown here but it would be costly. I'd run it as it was intended. I'm only going on my feeble memory, but I think it uses a set 53 Ford points (Flathead) and a set 54 Ford points (Y block). They are mirror images of each other. Of course the caps and rotor are Spalding only. I can't confirm but I bet they are the same parts for any motor application. A light bead blasting should clean up any corrosion. I don't know if MSD boxes care how many cyl.s they feed but, you could use two of them. They are 2 completely independent 4 cyl ignition systems in one housing.

When I ran mine I had the two coils mounted on the firewall next to it and go lots of WTF's from people.

 

Hey Tommy thanks for the additional info
on the points. I thought they looked like
Fords.
I here you on the WTF's...... I'm also going to
run it as is with two big finned Blue Streak
coils that I have had since the 60's.
You can never put too much stuff on a Deuce
firewall!
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"OPOSSUM BENDERS"
Central missouri Chapter

 

Bringing this back from the grave...

Let's see what you got!

 

I am running one in my Ranch on a 351w. Works great!

 

Hi. Totally different but the flame throwers I remember back in the 50's consisted of installing a spark plug near the end of tailpipe wired to a Model A or T coil in the trunk to a flip switch on the dash. Run it up in second gear and let off the gas pedal and pull the manual choke out all the way so engine would pass gas and flip the switch. WOWEE - flamethrower. Jimmie

 

I put it in 1961. Still runs good.

 

With the advent of 3D printing, I bet caps could be reproduced...