Question on right distributor?

[brett_d]

I have a 1981 duraspark 5.0 mustang. I'm in the process of swapping a roller motor into it. It has the .467 diameter distributor in it and I know that I have to swap out the iron gear for a steel. I read somewhere that the distributer may be too short and that they made two different ones for the 5.0's. Is this the right dist. or do I need another one. Is there a way to measure it and compare?

Thanks!!!

 

[shttygtstang]

flat tappet cam uses , differnt distributor than a roller motor. not shure urs is flat .....

 

[65ShelbyClone]

An '81 is definitely not a roller. Also, the distributor lengths are not different between roller and flat cam engines; the difference is between carb and EFI distributors.

Try to get a Duraspark distributor from a parts store for an '85 GT with a manual trans. It may be really hard to find one, but for the cost of a steel gear you can get a rebuilt distributor and the gear already installed. Thats what I did.

 

[brett_d]

will the 81 duraspark ignition work with the 85 dist?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Eh, I think it will.

 

[brett_d]

ok! I guess I'll Find out!

Thanks for the help!

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Good luck. I'm pretty sure that Duraspark = Duraspark as far as pickups and modules go. A rebuilt one with a steel gear shouldnt put you back more than $50 with echange. Do a search on how to identify a steel gear versus iron. Its not unusual for the average chain parts store to have an iron geared distributor in a box marked steel or the counter flunky will give you the wrong one. I had it happen and others have too.

Keep in mind that the '85 Mustang GT/5-speed was the only model AND the only year to have a carbed(Duraspark) roller cam engine. Thats why they can be hard to find.

 

[TrophyHead]

Becareful with the gears on the dizzy. I was arguing with a salesperson for 10 mins that it wasnt a steel gear. Cast iron has a rough finish to it and little holes. As the steel gears are nice and smooth.