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By JimNNN - 4 Years Ago
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Can you tell whether a 1954 distributor from a 239 is a 13 or 14 tooth gear without removing it from the engine? Also, same question as the whether the drive connecting to the oil pump is slotted or hex: Can you tell without removing the distributor? (I'm interested in purchasing a spare I came across.)
I didn't know if it was an EBU vs. EBV thing. My car has the EBU castings on the engine, and the engine is original to the car and not rebuilt, AS FAR AS I KNOW. Thanks for any help you can provide.
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By Ted - 4 Years Ago
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While there are two different part number distributors for the 1954 car engines, actually seeing those part numbers on the distributor housing is likely going to be difficult with the distributor in the car. For part numbers on the housing, try ‘FAE’ for the 13 tooth distributor and ‘FDB’ for the 14 tooth distributor. Looking at the parts manual, the difference in the distributors is in the number of teeth on the distributor gear and not the oil drive. While the distributor gear tooth count does vary, the slotted or tang style oil pump drive seems to be consistent for all the 239 engines in the 1954 cars. Odds are good that your car has the slotted oil pump drive.
Removing the distributor while doing a tune up would help to verify which distributor gear it has. To date, I have not come across a 14 tooth distributor in a 1954 239.if that’s any help to you. Looking at the production date on the VIN tag would at least give you an idea of when the car was assembled thus giving another clue as to if the car was made late in the 1954 model year thus making it a candidate for a 14 tooth gear distributor.
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By JimNNN - 4 Years Ago
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Ted (7/9/2021)
While there are two different part number distributors for the 1954 car engines, actually seeing those part numbers on the distributor housing is likely going to be difficult with the distributor in the car. For part numbers on the housing, try ‘FAE’ for the 13 tooth distributor and ‘FDB’ for the 14 tooth distributor. Removing the distributor while doing a tune up would help to verify which distributor gear it has. To date, I have not come across a 14 tooth distributor in a 1954 239.if that’s any help to you.
That's an enormous help, Ted. It gives me an idea of what to expect.
The distributor for sale has the FAE prefix, but is claimed to be a 14 tooth gear by the seller. I have no idea if those two things jibe with each other or not. As far as the distributor in my car...you're right I can't see the number at this point. I tried a lighted inspection mirror, but I also have an industrial endoscope - bore scope that I think might be more successful, so I'll try that in the next couple of days. At this point, I'm also putting on lots of penetrating oil and gentle persuasion as the distributor is stuck to the engine...no timing adjustment or removal right now.
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By JimNNN - 4 Years Ago
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Well, yesterday I was able to determine - after much squinting, jockeying for the best view and adjusting the mirror and light to the absolutely best position - that the prefix # on my existing distributor is definitely "FAE", just like the distributor that's for sale. Today I determined that my car's production code indicated that my car was made fairly late in the model year - early June.
I don't know if both of those things guarantee that my distributor has the 14 tooth gear (like the one for sale) or not, but as I said earlier, my distributor is stuck in place (working, but not removable) and I don't know when the penetrating oils I'm using will unstick it. I don't want to force it, so I can't pull the distributor at this point. Don't want to miss out on the sale of this refurbished distributor either. Any other things to consider?
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By Tedster - 4 Years Ago
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The post-56 Y Block distributors, the "dual" type, are getting difficult to find. At least those in serviceable condition. The LoadOmatic, some of those, not so much. Other special types, like with tach drives, are expensive
I suppose you'll have to weigh how much the spare would cost, is it reasonably priced, is it worn out to the point of unusability, and what condition is the current distributor in? A worn distributor can do some weird things, that are hard to diagnose sometimes. Maybe get the current unit removed and inspected. A serviceable distributor replacement well setup makes a very welcome improvement in all around performance and smooth power.
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By Ted - 4 Years Ago
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It it’s any consolation, the 13 and 14 tooth gears can be swapped around on the various distributors.
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By JimNNN - 4 Years Ago
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Thanks a bunch Ted, and yes, being able to switch the gears is a big plus. This info you've provided has been a huge help. I'll probably go ahead and get the one up for sale.
And thanks to Tedster, as well. I just realized you aren't the same as Ted. Sorry...and I appreciate the info.
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