The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Dead 261 distributor no numbers?

OK as the engine comes together I am prepping, cleaning and rebuilding as I go.

I rummaged through the 261 box to find the distributor, only to find that it wouldn't spin. Not at all.
I tossed it in the solvent tank to soak over night. It would need a complete rebuild, was my thinking.
The next day I tore into it. Here's what I found:
1-the distributor body is all one cast piece machined.
2-there are NO NUMBERS so I have no clue what it is
3- the bob weights plate is shot, it had 2 different sized springs, one pin had broken and the other 2 were nearly cut in half by the springs.
I am looking for a distributor now I guess and am curious what others can tell me.. I don;t know if my 216 distributor will work or if it would and I'd need to change the gear so as not to destroy my new Delta 254 cam.

Jeremy

Don't know about a 216 dist., but I know a 235 is the same dist.

However some do have different gears,i would call delta and ask what kind should be used. Have you given any thought to electronic ? Langdons stovebolt sells a modified hei dist that is a bolt in.

NAPA and Rockauto.com have reasonably priced rebuilt distributors.

If you look for a used distributor, no original 216 distributor will work with your 261 engine. To be safe, look for a 1954 or later 235 or 261 distributor.

FYI, the number is stamped in the points mounting plate.