I finally have found the time to look closely at my 56 Fairlane's engine.
It has an Edlebrock carb, but still has the loadamatic distributor.
The engine/car is a real dog
The distributor appears to have a double diaphram. Questions:
1) Is that correct for the engine?
2) How can I check this thing? I have a vacuum pump/gauge

Any help certainly appreciated

Regards to all
Jim

I can't answer your questions, but you need a '57 or newer Y block distributor in order for it to run right with that or any newer carburetor.
The mismatch between the carb and distributor is most likely the reason it is a dog.



Lawrenceville, GA

Check with NAPA or any Auto parts store for a rebuilt.  I also see them on ebay quite often.  Make sure it has the curved points set and that the springs are under the points plate.  If you look at your distributor, you will see a spring on top of the points plate.  There are aftermarket distributors, Mallory, MSD, Pertronics




54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

You look for a Cardone 30-2808 remanufactured Distributor.

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Jim, On my 56 Fairlane, 292 auto and 4bbl - teapot, it had the dual diaphragm advance. I believe that was the way the car left the factory. In your case the dual diaphragm distributer is a mis-match for your carb. As others have pointed out you will need to use a 57 or later dizzy for your car to run properly with the carb you have. I will assume that you have the "B" manifold with the non-square bolt pattern. With all of that said I drove my 56 across country 2 times, plus the Sierra Nevadas in stock form and it ran very nice and strong. - Bob

AKA   Bob-93021

I thank all of you for the suggestions, but I want to use the distributor and will add the teapot carb when I get one. 
I really want to know whatever procedures are necessary to check the diaphram?
I know I can test as far as operational or not, but wondered if there ia a particular amount of vacuum that it should operate at?
Make any sense? My descriptions are a bit vague.
Jim