I've been hunting to find instructions on how to pull out my distributor to send it in for conversion with no luck. Any hints, ideas, recommendations on how to do this, and then reinstall it properly?

See here's the thing, my dad had this thing converted to 12V almost 2 decades ago. So I haven't a clue as to what it's current state is.

My dad does remember the guy telling him something about it using some sort of tractor coil that uses 6V to start and 12V running. I could have that backwards, but it's something like that.

My plan was to go with the conversion that the guy at FBO systems does http://www.4secondsflat.com/Ford%20Y-Block%20Distributors.htm

My understanding is that they supply to coil needed after converting my distributor with the new parts. Keeping the original shaft so it plugs back in the original location and works fine.

You are right Charlie. He will also need the 12 Volt Solenoid and wire a bypass to Coil for Starting. Otherwise the Ballast resistor will fry the first time it is started..

  

It does make a difference.

With 12v points ignition, a ballast resistor is needed.  With 6v, no resistor is needed.

Electronic ignition conversions are too varied to generalize.  Simply follow the instructions  for the 12v conversion you choose.



Lawrenceville, GA

I'm not sure I'm entirely familiar with that? Is that 12v vs 6v coil?

Doesn't make a difference unless you are using Pertronix.

  

Thanks for the replies and info.

As far as the distributor goes, is it worth adding that the car has been converted to 12 volt? Not sure if that effects anything.

You can block the Heat crossover with a piece of Tin when You have the Manifold off if you do change the Manifold. The crossover was needed in cold Weather to warm up the Manifold faster. That and a Phenolic Spacer solves a lot of the problem. 

  

The only issue with spacers is hood clearance - you want to make sure you will still be able to close the hood.

I'm fairly certain phenolic spacers are available as thin as 1/4".  If you are using a 4 hole adapter, then you also want to use a 4 hole spacer and ideally, you want to blend them together so that there is a smooth transition from one to the other.


Lawrenceville, GA

Thanks a lot!