Turbo 170 possible?

[Quick 8]

Hello all,
I have a 63 falcon with a 170 in it. I would like to put a turbo on it, but I am not sure what to do with the ignition. It has a "load-a-matic" distributor with vacuum advance only. Also, to make things more difficult, it seems that the distributor can not be upgraded because the hole in the block on these early engines is too small for the later distributors.
I could run some extra initial advance and the stock vacuum, but as soon as any boost comes on, all of my vacuum advance would go away.
Would the engine run under boost at higher RPM with only 15-18* of advance?
Does anyone out there have another viable alternative?
Thanks in advance for the input.
~Jim

 

[addo]

Jim, there's a DUI integrated distributor/coil just out, that suits these blocks. It isn't cheap.

The other option is a DIY trip. Fit a Duraspark by turning down the pilot shaft at the tip to 0.490 (standard is 0.530), and fitting an oil pump/hex shaft suit seven main bearing block. If you have access to basic machine shop tools, this can be pretty easy.

Regards, Adam.

 

[Quick 8]

Thanks for the reply. That was just the kind of info I was looking for.

Do you know if it is possible to run vacuum advance and centrifugal advance such that the vacuum advance would give you extra advance during highway cruise, etc., but would go away (retard because it is boost referenced) when under boost?

If there was a way to plumb this in it would be great, because you could get better highway gas mileage while not endangering the engine when under boost.

Thanks again.
~Jim

 

[addo]

Ought to be pretty easy using some type of spring loaded ball check, sort of like a PCV valve. I don't know of any shelf products, but that is one way of making something that springs to mind. You could probably even knock up an adjustable one on the lathe, using brass stock and a machine screw to adjust check spring tension behind the ball and seat.

Alternatively, if you were running an MSD and Duraspark, you could use one of their retarding modules for "on-boost" conditions.

Cheers, Adam.

 

[Quick 8]

I like your spring loaded ball check idea. Nice and simple. And, as you said, an adjustable one wouldn't be out of the question. It woud make it easier to adjust the advance profile.

 

[Anonymous]

If you use a check valve, you must also have a small air bleed somewhere between the check valve and the dist can, or it will be "held" by constant vacuum.