GM Distributor into 221, looking for specifics

M

Mike B

Well-known member
Hey, good enough for Ol Ron, good enough for me!

So, I want to convert the distributor in my 221 FH, the type of distributor I have is the one with caps on both ends, and coil mounted on top, since I have no spark, point gaps are good...means I have roughly 300 bucks in potential "tune up" parts to replace...I'm not liking that idea, so after seeing OlRon speak of using a GM distributor, I did some internet searching,,

I've seen some internet articles (not specifically for the 221) that use the 8ba timing cover, machined Chevy distributor, 8ba drive gear....what I cannot seem to find is how to adapt to the cam?

One atricle mention "drill 4 holes", but didn'tmention what to drill, or what part was needed/etc.

Is adapting a GM distributor do-able on the 221 engines or is this something just for the 8BA and 59B's? If it's all apples to apples, can someone point out instructions, parts needed, etc for me?

Careful now, I have a lathe an a mill...and not afrid to use them!

Thanks.
 
I dont think you will spend $300 in tune up parts.Might be just a dead condenser or weak coil which can be rebuilt.If the coil was cocked forward slightly when you installed it ,the sharp coil spring on the bottom might not be in the contact cup on the point plate. You will have a dead short to ground and will never start. Start with the simple things first. What makes you think changing to a GM dist and all related parts is going to be cheap. ken ct omo.
 
Hey Ken, thanks for the reply...ofcourse not being flathed savvy, I looked at some basic things, before I pulled apart anything, I had no spark..so I pulled the caps, veified points we're opening and closings on both sides...was tough to veirfy gap, but I did a best gauge check an came up with .012 on ones side an .013 on the other.

I tested the condeser like I've done on many non-flathead 's n the past, by putting my meter on ohms one lead on the main lead, othe case and see if the condenser would "charge up"...i/e increase in resistance ...it did, then discharge the condenser to ground, and tried again,,,same results...so I'm pretty sure (just by past experience) that the condenser is working okay.

What I found was that the contacts on the insie of the caps were very "angled"...I don't know if this is how they are supposed to be, or by wear...but one was actually "chipped off"...

I tried searching for "how to check this coil" I have, but came up short, so I tested resistance fromprimary (my assumption ) lead on top of the distributor to the rtor contact that is spring loaded off the coil, and had open load, tested from allother spots, all open load...more serching on the internet yeilded these oils are not real good and prone to failing...so....based one my limited test (compared to a modern style cylinder coil), I have to suspect it as a potential problem.

Looking through some early V8 vender parts prices,,,it was $65 for my rotor, 35 for each cap, don't recall point prices, but lets say 30 bucks there...after doing tht, an (assuming I can get them set up on the engine correctly...) I'd have to look a the coil, min price I found was 135...ofcousre, none of h above adds shipping charges.

So, since I have few GM distributors, and can modify them here...no cost to me, just time...I have an 8 BA cover, just woul have to weld a hold own stop to it...I hve several coils (12 V, which saves me money on buying a 6 v battery), I'm thinking, since I have more time than money, I can go to 12 volt, use what I have, and save a lot to get this fired up.

Heck, if it cost me 50 buts in some adapter and time to install it,that would allow me to run a GM, Mopar, etc,diistrutor, I'll be money way ahead.

Just to state a point, I'm sure you have herd it before, but this is a really no budget build...in between looking for work, I'm spending time trying to make '36 PU happen, 25 bucks to some is not an issue, but to me it is...hence...use what I have on hand an see -sk-what do I need to make it work?
 
If you're going to an 8BA front cover why not use a Pertronics conversion? You'd have an electronic distributor for 80 bucks with zero machining and adapting. They also make a conversion for the single cap front mount distributor if that would better fit your needs.
 
Mike some of your prices are way off. I have rotors for $25,points are $25,caps are $30 ea., coil rebuilt Think there $87 by skip's. You still have to buy stuff to go chevy.???? ken ct. Who quoted you $65 for a rotor??
 
Hi Ken, I looked through Mac Antique auto parts and Sacramento Vintage Ford.

By the way, can Skip rewind a coil for 12 volt?

Thanks.
 
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