You might give these guys a call: Performance Automotive, 239 671 3974 or email them, perfignition@nctc.com. They rebuild and modify distributors. They're located in southwest FL.

Thanks for the info. I traded in a 57 core that was locked up, but am now regretting it. Parts guy at O’Reilly’s did his best to cross numbers up and even tried to get my old core back. Someone will eventually get the right distributor (if they rebuild my core). Sucks that parts vendors are so ignorant and unprofessional to not actually do the job right. Obviously no R&D.

Kent — Round Rock, TX
'56 F-100  | '56 Crown Vic  |  '57 Fairlaine 500  |  '57 Thunderbird

 
I contacted Cardone about a Month ago regarding these 30-2808 Distributors being assembled wrong. They denied there was a problem. I bought One last Week and sure enough the Dimensions are wrong. I took Pictures comparing the originals to the Exchange Units showing where the Dimensions are wrong. I sent a detailed Email to Tech Dept at Cardone again Today. Now they are going to have whoever is responsible tor Quality Control look into it. Hope they agree and Fix the Problem. I have searched extensively and there is no other Source for these unless You go aftermarket high $ Units. 

  

 
More Pictures

  

Florida Phil...when it dies again I'll bet it's the Chinese condenser. Replaced twice on my 56 before I installed a Pertronics ll. Never a problem in 5 yrs now. I bought their correct coil also and used my existing ballast resistor. Good luck.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

If You are using the Coil that they recommend I believe You can bypass the Ballast Resistor so the Coil gets full 12 Volts. I have had this combination on mine for Years without the Ballast Resistor. Flamethrower Coil.

  

Oldcarmark is correct - the instruction with my pertronix II said do not use the resistor with the Pertronix coil





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

I recently bought a Cardone # 30-2808 rebuilt distributor from my local O'Reilly's. The posts on this subject caused me to check the shaft length and gear placement. Guess what, they were the wrong dimensions. This Cardone box had a disclaimer pasted over the box flaps, that stated to
check the dimensions and gear placement for your application. It seems the posts on this site has caught Cardone's attention. My O'Reilly's
salesman ordered the remaining four distributors from their warehouse. I will post if at least one of these distributors is correct.
Ernie Phillips

I will be very surprised if any are correct. All are being assembled in Mexico now instead of USA where they used to be assembled (correctly). I wonder if they are somehow adding a small 1/4 inch Spacer or Bushing ( by Mistake) onto the Shaft before it is inserted into Housing causing the Shaft to sit 1/4 higher inside the Housing. The Measurements  are 1/4 inch off below the Housing as a result. I told the Tech Guy at Cardone that they should stop selling these until they fix the Problem. These could destroy an Engine if they run long enough. Some People don't read the Insert in the Box. i sent mine back to the Internet Seller in Canada for a Refund.

  

I just came back from working on my Friends 56. We had to pull the Distributor Carcone 30-2808 that I purchased for Him over a Year ago. Kinda held my Breath while We checked Dimensions. This is One built in USA before they shipped all Production to Mexico. This Distributor is correct as far as Dimensions. I still maintain the problems with these started when they changed to Mexico.They are not being assembled properly.