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| | | | Joined: May 2019 Posts: 232 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2019 Posts: 232 | I’ve got a F54Y 235 in a 49 panel
Not sure what parts are 49 and which are 54
Buying a rebuilt distributor cap rotor etc
Distributor number 1112353
I think cap in it is short
Points measure 1.25” pivot to contact
Anyway what do I order
I’m thinking the 54 up stuff
Are the distributors interchangeable pre 54 and 54 up just need to have correct caps rotors and points?
216 and 235 distributors interchangeable etc
Mostly just curious
I’m sure there’s a thread on this somewhere just didn’t find it
Thanks | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 | The tall cap distributor got introduced with the 12 volt ignition system, mid-1955 model year. The higher firing voltage available with 12 volts (14.7 with the charging system running against a fully charged battery) made it more likely for the short cap distributor to "flash over" to the distributor housing if a plug wire came loose. The tall cap and rotor don't fit the "short cap" distributor properly, as there's a slightly different height shaft above the point cam.
Jerry
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| | | | | Joined: Jun 2022 Posts: 557 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2022 Posts: 557 | Long story short, 6v can run either short or tall cap distributors. 12v needs the tall cap model.
My 6v 53 216 had a 1112403 distributor date code 5E13. Tall cap.
~~ Jethro 1954 3100Back to LifeIn the Dity Gallery1951 3100 (gone) / 1956 4400 (still in the neighborhood) / 1957 6400 with dump body (retired) / 1959 3100 panel (in the woods junked) / 1978 Custom Deluxe K10 / 1993 S-10 4.3 / 2004 Chevy Crew Cab / 1945 John Deere H / 1952 John Deere B / 1966 John Deere 2510 / 1967 John Deere 1020 | | | | | Joined: May 2019 Posts: 232 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2019 Posts: 232 | That makes sense
So pardon my ignorance 216 and 235 distributors fit the engine the then?
Wasn’t the major difference in the engines a better oiling system but yet both were available for a period of years? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,863 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,863 | Jack, Just a suggestion, but remember this is "The Electrical Bay" forum, the place for discussing all things electrical. If you are wanting to change the subject to the engine itself, better to ask a new question in the appropriate forum ("The Engine Shop" in this case) please and thanks.  Dan 
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | | Joined: May 2019 Posts: 232 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2019 Posts: 232 | | | | | | Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,450 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,450 | My '52 GMC 228 came with a "short" distributor, but now has a Chevy (don't know the year) tall distributor. It was a drop in.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
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