I'm wanting to convert my 1937 ford distributor to a stand up type. Is this a fairly easy swap? Or is this a difficult swap? Any information and thought will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, restoreman.

 

By stand up you mean the '49-'53 style of distibutor, right? It can be done, I know for sure you need the timing cover from a '49-'53 engine. Also, need to adapt the gear drive for the distibutor instead of the '37's stlye of driving the distributor. I'm sure there is more...but I can't remember. You may just be able to use 8BA gears and such to make the conversion.

 

There used to be a kit available to make this conversion. You might want try a few of the antique auto parts dealers on the internet or maybe J.C. Whitney. First try Mac's Antique Auto Parts.

 

Some of the best people I've ever dealed with for Flathead stuff is Patricks Antique Auto.

www.patricksantiquecars.com

I'd give the actual link, but the URLs here aren't working. Just cut and paste.

Give them a try...they are very helpful. Patrick should be able to help you figure out exactly what you need.

 

There are two different front covers for the 8BA. Aluminum and iron, and they take different distributors. I think that cam has to swapped out. The drive gear is press onto the 8BA cam, and the early engines don't have a provision for that I believe, although I'm don't know that much about the early engines. There are also two different cams for the 8BA. One for the standards valves, and a later one for rotable valves.