That's interesting because the Distributor Shafts are 1/2 " Shorter than the Original Units. So how much of the Oil Pump Shafts are actually being engaged by the Distributor Shaft? Not much by the sounds of it. I guess if You were to use a longer Oil Pump Shaft You could use these Distributors if You wanted to take a Chance that the Gear on the Distributor will work even though its not positioned correctly either. The Units they are selling do not match the Dimensions that Cardone itself says they should be.Not sure what the Alternative is because I won't be using One of these 30-2808. They seem to be selling a lot of them on Ebay. Cardone don't seem to care that the Units they are producing are not assembled correctly. Buyer  beware as the saying goes!   

  

If the distributor shafts are 1/2" shorter, then none of the pump shaft can be engaged, everything else equal.  If they work at all, then something else is different and making up the difference in length.


Lawrenceville, GA

I don't know where the difference would be that allows it to still engage the shaft. The difference of 1/2 " shorter is from the Pad that sits on the Block to the end of Shaft. Look at the Pictures I posted a couple of Weeks ago showing the Measurement of the 30-2808 replacement and the Original I have. Doesn't make sense that it still engages Oil Pump Shaft.

  

Looking back at your pictures from a few weeks ago the difference looks like a 1/4". I don't have a loose FE oil pump shaft to measure, just a thought.

You are correct Jim. It is 1/4 Inch shorter as shown in pictures-not 1/2". The Gear is higher on the Shaft than original. Even at 1/4" shorter its still not engaging the Oil Pump Shaft by much. As I mentioned the Ones that were made in USA before they shifted Production to Mexico were correct Length at 6" and the Gears were properly located. I have not heard of One made in Mexico yet that has correct Dimensions. Cardone just seems to want to ignore the Problem. Buyer beware!

  

Here is the problem(s) as I see it.

CARDONE is using SBF distributor cores. The actual housing will fit the FYB, the distributor shaft is shorter than the FYB. While the drive gear can be re-positioned (verify this when removed from box) on the SBF shaft, the dist shaft will be too short to engage the driveshaft fully. Also, the end of the shaft is mildly tapered to allow fairly easy dist install, so then there is even more slop.

FORD made a running change in 60/61 regarding oil pumps and the later pump (C1AE 6600-B) requires a longer driveshaft.

Pre 1960/61 used shaft B9A 6A618-A (L= 8 1/16") while 61/ used shaft CIAE 6A618-A (L= 8 1/4"). Both are still available from vendors.

Either maybe go with this or find a good FYB core and have it professionally gone through. While CARDONE was once a quality re-builder, it seems they have no real concern now. They also seem to be doing only cosmetic rebuilds so you will have no idea of what curves you will end up with (or quality of IGN parts).

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Thank you, thats good info to know, I had no idea they had a longer shaft after 60-61..

I don't positively know if this will solve the problem(s) being experienced with the SBF replacement distributor from CARDONE but there is a longer shaft (OEM - NOS) available as well as performance aftermarket.

IMO, if someone while assembling an engine, can verify correct driveshaft length within correct dimensional specs with an OEM FYB DIST AND the CARDONE SBF (w/ correct driven gear position) replacement and post the findings, it will alleviate doubt.

If the shorter driveshaft either slips out or breaks while running, you know what can happen.

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It would be helpful to know that Information. Perhaps Ted could do a little checking when assembling one of the Y Blocks He rebuilds. I found an Article Ted wrote several Years ago regarding using different Drive Shafts when He modified an Oil Pump into a High Volume Pump. A different length Shaft was required to make it compatible with the Distributor. If Cardone is not going to fix the Problem then maybe We  can figure out how to make them work. The big Problem really is that the correct Cores are hard to come by because they don't get turned back in. So I guess this is Cardone's Solution to the Core Problem.  These 30-2808 Distributors can be recurved using Mr. Gasket Spring Kit., the Vacuum Advance is Adjustable, Aftermarket Electronic Ignition or Fords EEC  Ignitions can be installed. They can be a low $$ upgrade over the original Loadomatic if they can be made to fit correctly as far as Dimensions and Shaft Length.

  

Mark: you mentioned the pre 1957 Load o Matic distributors. Does anyone know if the shafts interchange with later units?  And would they fit the SBF housings? If so, that would be a way to get usable cores into rebuilders hands. There must be some Load o Matics around gathering dust.. Also Mark, you mentioned  Autoline, are they still operating in Canada? 


Paul