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By mctim64 - 17 Years Ago
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Hey Guys, I have a customer with a '55 T-Bird. I am rebuilding the 292 out of it and I saw that he had the old vacuum only distributor, I suggested he get a later one with the mech. advance. I have a couple but none with a tach drive. I'm not a Bird man, although I wouldn't mind, so I need to know if there is such a dist. or an aftermarket one that will work. Anyone have one for sale? How much? 
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By bird55 - 17 Years Ago
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The tach drive is the catch. There are several as you know good performers out there. Mallery make a modern day setup still with the tach drive, but pricey for what you get. Or a used factory tach drive dist. starts around 500 when you can find'em.
Or convert to the elect. and tach and the field opens up.
I'm a diehard so I upgraded to a 57 bird dist.,and kept all my original gear drive stuff. I just like the fact that it is old school direct positive drive machine technology.  I think it was cheaper in the long run, over buying all new. Don't forget the factory tach only goes up to 5000 or 6000. But hey, It is a street car right? Mine wraps all the way around and hits the peg at zero again. 7 grand. I should probably ease off there anyway.
I believe Hoosier machined two dist. together back in the day so you guys might get together on that one. Since you ARE a machinist. good luck and Let us know.
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By mctim64 - 17 Years Ago
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Thanks Alan, It's not my car so in the long run it is not up to Me, but I'd like to see him get a stock '57. So if anyone out there has one for sale let me know.
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By Oldmics - 17 Years Ago
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Currently on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220323157768&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem= The most recent sale was this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360108121107&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem= which sole at $362.77 and was a BARGAIN !!!!!!!!!! I have never seen one go that low-EVER. I would tell your customer to be prepared to bid in the mid 5s to acquire one. Good luck Oldmics By the way-Nice picture !
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By bird55 - 17 Years Ago
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Oldmics is right! That one on ebay now also has a pertronix-which adds another 75-80 bucks value to the deal. better bid up.
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By mctim64 - 17 Years Ago
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thanks for the heads up, I have already told him to be ready for the $, I will tell him about this one and see where it leads.
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By paul2748 - 17 Years Ago
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There is a seller on ebay named nichols1994 that usually has a lot of TBird parts for sale. He might have one. Another seller I know, called birdland567 in PA. I have dealt with both guys, they are okay but prepare to spend for this distributor 500 +
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By PF Arcand - 17 Years Ago
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Tim: "If" the 292 rebuild is basically stock, I doubt that your customer is going to get $500 increased performance out of a 57 Bird distributor. In any case he shouldn't throw the 55 Bird distributor away. Someone doing a T.Bird restoration may want it...
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By Ted - 17 Years Ago
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mctim64 (12/2/2008)
Hey Guys, I have a customer with a '55 T-Bird. I am rebuilding the 292 out of it and I saw that he had the old vacuum only distributor, I suggested he get a later one with the mech. advance. I have a couple but none with a tach drive. I'm not a Bird man, although I wouldn't mind, so I need to know if there is such a dist. or an aftermarket one that will work. Tim. If the customer is retaining the original model 4000 Holley (Teapot), the original Load-O-Matic distributor is actually going to be the best choice unless modifying the ported vacuum channels within the Teapot carb. If using a '57 distributor with a Teapot without the prerequisite ported vacuum mods, then there is the potential for too much ignition advance under cruise and full throttle situations. Using an older Mallory distributor with tach drive that incorporates only a mechanical advance is also an option. On the flip side, upgrading to a ’57 and up carb does require a ’57 distributor if wanting to retain the factory tach drive and vacuum advance capability. I think that all makes sense.
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By mctim64 - 17 Years Ago
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That's the deal, he is changing the manifold and carb. too. I'm sure he will not throw the old dist. away, or any other part for that mater. Rebuild is not stock.
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By mctim64 - 17 Years Ago
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I just won that dist. on eBay, $406 with the Petronix kit in it. Not too bad eh. 
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By Oldmics - 17 Years Ago
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Congradulations  Times are tough and some deals can be had.Thats a reasonable price. Oldmics
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