Both Paul and Joe have ordered the CRT distributors.  Paul is having his dropped shipped to me and when I receive it, I’ll be measuring the gear location on the shaft to insure it’s not too low thus being in a bind within the engine I plan on testing it in.  As a general rule, the MSD distributors for the Y have the gear positioned on the high side so none of those have an interference problem within the block.  The gear being a little bit high is not a problem with the MSD distributors but being any shade of too low definitely is.  Before sending that CRT distributor back to Paul, I’ll have him measure the distributor cavity in his block to insure that his distributor is also good for his particular block.
 
Part of the problem with distributor gear placement lies in the block machining as not all the FYB blocks are at that 4.990”or more cavity depth for the distributors.  While most are okay, there are those blocks that are machined too shallow on the distributor hole and just being 0.025” less than 4.990” does create a problem with some distributors.  Hence the reasoning why MSD intentionally installs their gears on the high side for the FYB.  The easy fix is just shim the distributor where it sits on the block with a special shim so it’s raised the appropriate amount.  A fix that’s more involved is removing the gear and relocating it to the appropriate spot on the shaft that also coincides with what is needed at the block.
 
The Ford 351W engines seem to be more prone to the distributor holes in the block being too shallow thus creating premature wear problems when replacement distributors are used.  I’ve also come across this same problem with a 460 BBF block but that issue does not appear to be as common as what I find on the 351W engines.  The 460 BBF was fixed by just simply shimming the distributor higher.  All other engines I have corrected by just relocating the gear on the shaft which does involve drilling new hole for the pin that retains the gear to the shaft.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

How far off are we talking about, if the gear is installed to low on the shaft it is holding the shaft up and it may not be completely engaging the oil pump drive shaft

 I bought one the CRT tach drive distributors in Sept. I didn't install it till early Dec. It looked very well made and seem identical as far as the part that fit into the distributor. It is taller and I got the female type cap. When I road tested my Bird I was very impressed. has more power and ran fine. BUT after I came home and open the hood, I discover the distributor is wobbling a little! The hold down was tight, great, after market crap. Called the seller, too bad I had it too long. After lots of measuring I discovered that the drive gear seems to be is deeper on the shaft and is bottoming out against the block. I am going to space the distributor housing up-away from the block. I am pretty sure this will cure the problem. I am going to put it back in and see if I can put a feeler gauge between the block and the distributor. before I make some shims. I bought some thin metal stock from Hobby Lobby of all places,to make the shims. I'll let you guys know how this works. Ted said he has run into the same problem with FE engines and cured the problem by taking the pin out and drilling a new hole to reposition the gear. This problem does not seem to be that much difference, will see.

I already have two complete MSD systems for my Ys, but they are not tach drive compatible.  I am in the process of building a 345Y for my '55 Thunderbird, and would like to keep the tach drive system, at least have the capability to use it if I decide to hook everything up.  Joe-JDC

JDC

JDC, I have to think that there must be a forum member who has the CRT. If not, who is buying them? The fellow I know hasn't responded to email. Let us know how it works out. 

My brother had MSD components on his 408 Windsor stroker I/O boat. They were not trouble-free, and they cost considerably more. You don't always get what you pay for. I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised. I am somewhat concerned about longevity, but It seems that I've read there are higher-quality electronic components that will work in the CRT distributor, if you have trouble down the road. 

Just ordered one.  Will give it a try and see if it works as described.  Hopefully the shaft is not for a 302 sbf.  Joe-JDC

JDC

It probably has no more capabilities than a 57 tach drive distributor with a Pertronix unit installed. However, I bet it's very easy to deal with. I will assume the fly weights are on top of the shaft for easy access and the vacuum unit can be adjusted with an Allen wench. Also, it's a new unit that will have a straight shaft and new bearings. If one doesn't mind the non stock looks then this may be a good deal, that is, if the quality is good.  A Pertronix can trigger an external box, MSD 6AL just to name one, for example, if so desired and I will assume the CRT distributor could do that also.  The price almost seems too good to be true. Hopefully it proves to be a good reliable distributor.


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Here’s are a couple of pictures of the CRT ignition distributors for the ’55-’57 Thunderbirds with mechanical tach drive capability and with modern electronics.  One picture is the distributor with the conventional cap and the other with a HEI style cap.  Here’s are the EBAY links to each of these.  The pricing is more than reasonable assuming the quality is good.  I’ve not had any of these in the shop yet so I can’t say how good these are yet.
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-THUNDERBIRD-V8-TACH-DRIVE-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-1955-1957-272-292-312-Y-BLOCK/233587968677?fits=Model%3AThunderbird%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item3662ed8aa5:g:REEAAOSwPjNelMYf:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!76655!US!-1
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/55-57-Ford-Thunderbird-Y-Block-272-292-Pro-Series-R2R-Distributor-Male-Black-Cap/264670704147?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111314%26meid%3D76101be194f84114917d31ed0e8196fd%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D233587968677%26itm%3D264670704147%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithDarwoV3BBEV2b%26brand%3DCustom&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851

 

 

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

What kind of electronic distributor are you referring to? Like, a 57 bird strib capable of driving a mechanical tack and a specific trigger device?  I'm probably now a bit behind the times as to the latest and greatest.


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

There is. Go to crtperformance.com. You will find the same/similar on ebay as well. You can also have your 57 tach-drive distributor converted by FBO Ignition Systems at www.4secondsflat.com. I have no personal experience with any of them. However, I know someone who has used the CRT in one of his vehicles/w no complaints, and he planned to get another for his T-bird. The CRT/ebay distributor does not have an rpm limiter. The FBO conversion uses Pertronix lll, which does have an adjustable rev limiter. All are self-contained. Pertronix has a remote rev limiter that can be used with Pertronix l and ll and is compatible with other electronic distributors. Again, I have no personal experience with Pertronix, but I will problem use Pertronix ll in my 57 tach-drive distributor, along with their rev/rpm limiter. The CRT is reasonably priced, but you know where it's made. I think that at least some of MSD's products are made there, too. 

I'll attempt to contact the guy I know and try to get an update on the CRT distributor.