Updating with a crab distributor

[Tom-MI]

I need some help on this swap. I have a '35 with an original distributor. Maintenance on the distributor can be a royal pain. I am thinking about installing a crab distributor (this is not a show car). I have a '47 timing gear cover and a spacer (pictures included). If I swap out the '35 cover and use the adapter plate will I still need a spacer for the cam gear?

Thanks

Tom

 

[GaryU.]

i believe the button spacer is used when a helmet style distributor is installed on a later engine like a 59ab with a three bolt timing gear cover.

 

[Mart]

I believe the combo you have will work.
It would be worth checking to see if the cam has been replaced. Slim chance it might be a short nose cam with a button. If it is, you can remove the button and leave off the spacer.
If you don't want to change the front cover you can get a 3 bolt to 2 bolt adaptor that will allow the crab to bolt on.
Mart.