Difference between '49-'53 Distributors

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fordhistory

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I want to buy a NOS distributor for the '53 Mercury flathead I'm building. Can I use any '49-'53 Ford OR '49-'53 Merc distributor for this engine, or will only a '53 Mercury distributor work.
I know they will ALL fit (I think), but in terms of mechanical advance, does a '53 Merc have it's own advance curve specs?
My engine is completely stock, with a NOS camshaft, 4" crank, and stock EAC heads.
 
I know 49-51 Merc distributers had the same specs. Don't know about 52 and 53. However, be sure that you get the distributer that is meant for your timing cover. As I recall the aluminum covers use an extended shaft distributor. The cast iron covers use the shorter shaft.
Read about it here:
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php? t=150631&highlight=mercury+timing+covers
The following info. is solid gold.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57964&highlight=mercury+timing+covers
Do yourself a favor and convert your stock Merc distributor to electronic.
You will never regret it. http://oppositelock.kinja.com/pertronix-electronic-ignition-conversion-on-a-ford-flat-1602560579
Or, give Bubba a call.
 
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Ford started out using a cast iron full bodied distributor in the '48 F-1/'49 Fords and Mercs, which used cast iron or similar design alloy front covers. Ford then brought out an alloy short bodied distributor in '50, which used an alloy front cover with a lower support, because of the shorter upper support. So, the first thing to match is the correct distributor design to your front cover.
All of these distributors are loadomatic, with vacuum-only advance (no mechanical), and can be set up to any year/make advance curve spec.

19Forty, didn't mean to repeat your input. I type slow...:-)
 
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