Best distributor for '56 T Bird 312 ?

B

Bonniewwyn

Senior Member
My T Bird does not have the corret tach drive dizzy. Unit is later one and tired. I would like to up date to best performing dizzy ...not concerned about originality. Last owner swapped out tea pot carb to a new Holley from JEGGS. Does not have to be mech drive tach type and perhaps a modrn electronic unit that will drop in ?
 
Depending on which "later" distributor you have, getting it rebuilt or sending it in as a core to the outfit Kultulz posted the link to, there aren't many Made in the USA choices.

Mallory used to make a couple pretty nice Y-block distributors, including one with tach drive, but it's been discontinued for about 5+ yrs.
https://www.amazon.com/Mallory-USA-3838701-Unilite-Distributor/dp/B000FVZIG0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
The original Mallory ignition parts company doesn't even exist anymore.

Both of my project Birds use an oem '57 distributor so the '57-'59 version is the one I'm familiar with. Although the oem '59 to '64 Y-block distributors could work just as well for you.
There are still a few independent shops around that can rebuild (& recurve as needed) the one you have.

Caution: an exchange distributor from an auto parts store supplier may get you an incorrect distributor with a main shaft that is too short, which can fail quickly.

Other than the newer carb and dist, does your 312 have any performance upgrades, or is it stock?
Which intake manifold is on it? ECZ-A ('56) or ECZ-B ('57 style)
 

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The '57 thru '59 Y-block car distributor is a direct bolt-in, but they do not have the tach cable hookup on them.
'57 and later used different points, condenser, rotor and distributor cap than the earlier distributors, so you will need to get those also.
Pertronix makes an electronic kit to replace points and condenser but I don't recommend those.
I suggest, if you can find an old used '57 & later Y-block distributor, rebuild it yourself with new shaft bushings available at some of the resto parts suppliers rather than sending it off to rebuild. I have heard stories that the rebuilder (Cardone, I think it was) is messing these up somehow.
The Ford car shop manual gives important tolerances to observe if bushings need to be replaced.
Don't forget to lube that shaft at the fitting on the side of the dizzy housing.
 
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