Glad you found the problem   I have on hand here both a Ford and Lincoln Y-block distributor. The diameter of the upper flange that positions the strib in the machined undercut in the block measures 1.750".  The 2 lower pilot areas that enters the hole in the block measures 1.495".  These are the measured dimensions of the Lincoln and Ford y-block distributor so both housings are dimensionally the same.   And what's more, great to see you have recovered well and back in the engine game........................

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

The housing is the problem. The diameter of the housing won't allow the distributor to set down in the hole of the block. Then the base of the housing is too large to properly seat on the block. There is a small machined flange on the block  that needs to marry with the base to finish the install. We had the right distributor to send them, we had it running on the engine previously. I sent it back today so we'll hear something back next week.

I needed to replace the gear on my 368.  As i recall when I called my local parts store they told me it was the same as a 390 and they had one on the shelf.  

Edit     I only mentioned the 2 different gears because I know how easy it is to grab the wrong part from a bench covered with parts when assembling something.  If you don't mind, post a pic of the modified distributor you are installing.............

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Not sure of what you have?  I thought the loadomatic went out at the end of 56 production except for 6 cylinder engines.  I am presently running a 57 368 tach drive from a 57 Mercury Turn Pike Cruiser in my Ford Y-block. Same casting and internals as the Ford/T-birc 57 tach drive and in that case, the shaft is the same also.  The difference was the gear. I replaced the gear with a Ford 14 tooth Y-block gear and have been running this distributor for a number of years now. I have also done the same to a cast iron dual advance strib removed from a big Ford truck equipped with a 302 or 332 Lincoln Y-block.  That strib had a governor which  I removed.  Maybe the gear is not in the proper location?  To my knowledge and experience, the Lincoln Y-block and Ford Y-block distributors are interchangeable at least from 57 on except for the drive gear.       Just to mention:  There were 2 different drive gears used in the big Ford trucks with Lincoln Y-blocks. One was right hand teeth and the other was left hand teeth. Some of the Lincoln truck Y's were built with a gear driven camshaft which required a strib drive gear with teeth of an opposite angle so the strib would still rotate CCW. 

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Which part of it doesn't fit?


Lawrenceville, GA

Major Set-back!!  We go to install our newly modified distributor to find out it doesn't fit. The company used the base for a Ford Y block and it doesn't fit the Mercury 368.  Either his base was not machined correctly or the diameter on the Ford and Mercury Y blocks are different sizes. Anyone have any first hand knowledge?  He has the only Load-matic distributor I had so I can't measure apples to apples when he keeps the base.

The distributor I had modified was a load-matic for a 56-57 368 Lincoln/Mercury, not a T bird. Different animals. Different block family. This was a 1956 distributor with vacuum advance that has been converted to mechanical with Pertronix. BTW, it's been 3+ weeks since my surgery and I'm healing up well, thanks.

Just get yourself well - a speedy recovery....................

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

So, correct me if I am wrong. If I understand correctly, this is a 55-56 distributor LoadOMatic converted to Pertronics style? If so this will be a real boon to 55 and 56 tbird tach drive distributors. A lot of those are sitting on a shelf at a reduced price.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK