converting the '55 Bird to better ignition system. Need the 1957 mechanical tach drive distributor.

Steve

Steve. PM sent.



miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Currently on our favorite auction site
http://www.ebay.com/itm/152371359894?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649
Oldmics

thinking of all the ones i could have had for little or nothing.57 merc turnpike cruiser used the 312 as base motor in canada.seen lots going to scrap back in 60s

Did the Mercury use a tach drive?

the turnpikes all did.

Back in '68 I went into the usual junkyard I got parts from, and the owner showed me a tach drive 57 dist. Said it came out of an ex police car he'd taken in. He owned an F code 57 bird, and he liked me. I suppose because I was usually covered in grease and willing to listen to his advice. " I'll put it under the counter kid, let me know when you can come up with 25 bucks". Took me a month, but he held it for me. That's the only reference I ever heard to a police car with a tach.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Greetings to all:  The 57 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser did have a mechanical tach but every TC I have seen had the Lincoln 368 Y block. They may have been available with a 312 but I have never seen one in a TC.   The 368 used the same distributor as the Ford Y but had a 15 tooth gear instead of a 14 tooth.  About 4 years ago I was very lucky to find a 57 Merc tach drive dizzy from a 368 in excellent shape very cheap. Changed the gear to a 14 tooth and am using it to run the mechanical tach in my restored 64 F100.  Sometimes it pays to look for the parts we want/need under totally different listings. Hope this helps, JEFF.........................



64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Interesting to note that in 1957 there were 2 different part numbers used for tach drive distributors in the Y Block engines. This does not take into account any dual quad or supercharger distributor units.

The 2 different tach drive distributor part numbers were slated as a B7S 12127 A  and also a B7S 12127 D

Mercs , with the tachometer option 312 engines got the B7S 12127 D.

Thunderbirds (292 and 312s) could have gotten either the B7S 12127 A tach drive distributor OR the B7S 12127 D tach drive distributor units.

Curiously enough there was no specific tach drive distributor for the 292 engine.
The B7S 12127 A was cast as FEJ 12127 A
The B7S 12127 D was cast as FEK 12127 B

Oldmics

Thanks for the information, this site and the Y-blockers are always helpful. Currently looks like my options are Oldmics rebuildable 1957 tachdrive for $950 and a new Mallory unit for $851. Still not sure which option i will take.

Steve