Distributor identification help!

[lorwood]

My "pile of parts" continues to confuse! It's a 68 200 block with a 61 170 head! :roll: the head is being replaced with a 78 200. The carb who knows right now. I want to ID the distributor (SCV or no SCV) The numbers on the base are unreadable. Is it possible to have a Load O on a 68 block? If not how do I ID what I have? Thanks Ed

 

[fordconvert]

The Load O's dont have the springs and weights under the breaker plate. IIRC its kinda hard to tell if you are not sure what you are looking for, hopefully someone will post some pictures or you can post a picture.

 

[addo]

Really easy to ID. Here's how and why:

The Load-0-Matic has a one-piece shaft from top to bottom.

The Dual advance has a two piece shaft. That's because the advance weights can rotate the upper shaft section independently of the lower, to advance or retard the timing.

When you remove the rotor, look for a hollow shaft with oiling felt in the centre. If you see that, it's assuredly dual advance.

As a further cue, most vacuum only distributors have a "D" shaped shaft for the rotor to clip onto.

Regards, Adam.

 

[Mercury Mike]

I heard somewhere that there's a special 170 head out there somewhere, and it's one of the best heads on the market. Don't remember where.

 

[addo]

That's the 69/70 Maverick 170 head with large carb bore and flat-topped log.

 

[mustang6]

That's the 69/70 Maverick 170 head with large carb bore and flat-topped log.

It's got the larger intake but still has the smaller 170 combustion chambers and it looks like this...