Dist-fanbelt clearance

Shoebox

Shoebox

Well-known member
I have been trying to eyeball this out in the shop, but short of actually pulling parts, I can't tell......... in 39 Merc, if I were to change to a distributor like a Chev conversion from Bubba, will I clear the fanbelt??
 
It depends on how far the distributor protrudes up from the timing cover. Some are long enough that the early type pumps & belts will clear. The 8BA types had the longer water pump on the right to clear the short OEM distributor. The long pump set up has a harder time fitting in some of the early Ford products. The Mercury set up might have more room than the Ford car did but I don't know for sure. If it is an early motor, the cam would have to be changed to work with the late type 8BA timing cover & drive but it is doable.
 
You probably would need the 8RT truck pumps. You would also have to move the lower pulley to align with the new pumps. There is an aftermarket gear that bolts to your cam to drive the later distributor. It is doable. The thrust direction is different, but I don't think that would cause a problem.
 
Have a word with Ol' Ron. Ha has used a converted chevy ignition and early pumps, if I recall correctly, he keeps the ignition full length (rather than the normal shortening, and spaces the generator just enough forward so the belt clears the ignition.
So it can be done.
Martin.
 
Thanks Rotor, Flat, Scooder,
For the responses. I want to take this engine (with appropriate crank and pistons) out to 276 and run a NOS 8CM cam I have, and use a distributor setup that has mechanical and vacuum advance, HOWEVER I want to keep it reasonably original in appearance. So changing water pumps, messing with lower pulley and generator placement,...... not so sure. The engine is currently running great with a Bubba redone original helmet distributor, but should I not use a distributor more tuneable with the larger engine? Perhaps a later crab distributor at least? Just looking for more opinions, suggestions..

Thanks guys!
 
Shoebox said:
Thanks Rotor, Flat, Scooder,
For the responses. I want to take this engine (with appropriate crank and pistons) out to 276 and run a NOS 8CM cam I have, and use a distributor setup that has mechanical and vacuum advance, HOWEVER I want to keep it reasonably original in appearance. So changing water pumps, messing with lower pulley and generator placement,...... not so sure. The engine is currently running great with a Bubba redone original helmet distributor, but should I not use a distributor more tuneable with the larger engine? Perhaps a later crab distributor at least? Just looking for more opinions, suggestions..

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

I run a crab on my 39 with a 276.
 
Shoebox said:
Thanks Rotor, Flat, Scooder,
For the responses. I want to take this engine (with appropriate crank and pistons) out to 276 and run a NOS 8CM cam I have, and use a distributor setup that has mechanical and vacuum advance, HOWEVER I want to keep it reasonably original in appearance. So changing water pumps, messing with lower pulley and generator placement,...... not so sure. The engine is currently running great with a Bubba redone original helmet distributor, but should I not use a distributor more tuneable with the larger engine? Perhaps a later crab distributor at least? Just looking for more opinions, suggestions..

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

Lets keep the helmet. We can make the helmet do as good as the chevy and keep the cool look.
 
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