300 distributor question

[texas_rat_trap]

Actually this is a 2 part question: (1) Will the 300 and the 223 or 215 distributor shafts interchange, cuz I believe the oil pump drive on the 223 is 1/4" and the distributor drive on the 300 is 5/16". Are the distributor drive shafts the same? I saw in a earlier post by 277 I6 said he made a distributor drive shaft 1/4" for oil pump drive & 5/16" for distributor side, so my question is could you just swap the shafts or are they different diameters? (2) Is the 300 distributor a HEI type dizzy or is it the Dura Spark type in which you have to have the Dura spark harness also?

 

[JimKoz]

I think Ford used two main distributor shaft diameters, .467" and .530". The few 223 distributors I've seen have been .467", and the few 300 distributors I've seen have been .530".

I don't think that the 215 ever used a hexagonal oil pump shaft, and the 223 probably didn't either until around 1955. When the hex drive arrived, it was 1/4" until 1964 when it changed to 5/16" with a corresponding change to the oil pump. I don't know if the distributor shaft was made larger at the same time though. Maybe someone with a '64 could answer that sometime.

There were several versions of the DuraSpark system used on the 300. The DuraSpark-II was most like GM's early HEI system with a large two-piece distributor cap and a conventional vacuum advance. The DuraSpark-III systems were entirely different, though, and used a crankshaft sensor to electronically control the timing. The DuraSpark-II system is probably what you want, but there's probably nothing wrong with a 1st generation system.

 

[godheadcustoms]

From what I've seen the 223 shaft is 1/4" and the 300 shaft is 5/16". Couple of ways of remedy the situation: 1. use a '64 , and '64 only, 223 oil pump which has the 5/16" hex drive "hole" or 2. use a 5/16" hex drive and machine the end down to 1/4" for the existing oil pump. Either one will get you a DSII dizzy for a 223 block. Although I believe you also have to use the 223 dizzy gear. And possibly also have to turn down the 300 dizzy to fit into the 223 block. Not sure on that one though, but easy enough to check once you have the two dizzy's side by side.

Couple of other things: the rotor, cap, condensor and vacumn advance from a load-a-matic 200 engine are the same as the ones on the 223 dizzy. I realized this when I swapped the parts from a spare 200 dizzy I had lying around to the 223 in my truck. Makes me wonder about the 200 DSII dizzy, or at least the guts? Would it be easier to swap the guts into a 223 dizzy? Don't know yet, but as soon as I get a chance I want to compare the three dizzys to see what's up.

 

[texas_rat_trap]

Great info guys.

 

[277 I6]

I have a 300 dizze in my 59 223 houseing fits as is you have to change the gear you have to hone the 223 gear to fit bigger 300 shaft the right way would be to change to a 54 oil pump I didnot made a shaft 1/4 & 5/16 works ok so far

 

[The Big M]

From what I've seen the 223 shaft is 1/4" and the 300 shaft is 5/16". Couple of ways of remedy the situation: 1. use a '64 , and '64 only, 223 oil pump which has the 5/16" hex drive "hole" or 2. use a 5/16" hex drive and machine the end down to 1/4" for the existing oil pump. Either one will get you a DSII dizzy for a 223 block. Although I believe you also have to use the 223 dizzy gear. And possibly also have to turn down the 300 dizzy to fit into the 223 block. Not sure on that one though, but easy enough to check once you have the two dizzy's side by side.

I intend to implement option #1 on my 223. It's the best option, imo, since it retains the larger hex drive. I do believe it's necessary to machine out the bore of the 223 distributor gear in order to install it on the 300 distributor. I don't believe the distributor housing has to be modified but I could be mistaken. I have one of each at home. I'll have to compare.

Couple of other things: the rotor, cap, condensor and vacumn advance from a load-a-matic 200 engine are the same as the ones on the 223 dizzy. I realized this when I swapped the parts from a spare 200 dizzy I had lying around to the 223 in my truck. Makes me wonder about the 200 DSII dizzy, or at least the guts? Would it be easier to swap the guts into a 223 dizzy? Don't know yet, but as soon as I get a chance I want to compare the three dizzys to see what's up.

I think I'll check that out.

And to answer one of the original questions, there are a few ways to convert a 223 to electronic ignition. You can use a Duraspark II module, a GM HEI module, or an aftermarket ignition such as an MSD. I got a DSII box at a swap meet for $10, so I intend to use that with a 1987 TFI coil.

 

[wherestheothercylhead]

I don't mean to resurrect an old post, but this has peaked my interest for my 223. I just wanna recap and get this right...if I swap to a 64 oil pump, I can use the 300 dizzy and shaft. How much does the gear need to be honed out to fit the 300 dizzy? Is this something that can be done like with a wheel cylinder hone, or do I need to farm it out? I have found a wealth of info so far on this site, and hope to find more...but sometimes I can be a little slow.

Thanks

ROb

 

[fmartin_gila]

I just went the easiest way and put a Pertronix I and their coil in my 62 223, about 5 years ago. Opened the plugs to .045 and the system has been trouble free since.

Fred

 

[wherestheothercylhead]

The reason I was wondering about the 300 was to gain the mechanical advance. But I may look into just using the pertronix, because I actually want to find a 300 points distributor and run a pertronix in it anyways.


ROb

 

[JimKoz]

The difference between the two distributor shaft diameters is about .064". You'll need to take it to a machine shop to have that much material removed. I think that I also had to have the shaft drilled for a larger spring pin when I did my conversion.

Probably a good idea to use a coiled spring pin, and not a slotted one. The coiled ones withstand more vibration and have a higher shear strength.

 

[wherestheothercylhead]

Thanks for the info. Now I just need to get on the prowl for a 300 dizzy I like.


ROb