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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: ToddK on October 05, 2015, 06:07:35 PM

Title: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on October 05, 2015, 06:07:35 PM
Not sure if I should post this here or in the private classifieds, but at this point I more enquiring on the availability.

I recently received the Hogan intake manifold for the race engine I am building, and it became apparent that I will require either a low profile distributor or an offset distributor. Here's my intake manifold:

(http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp89/toddkeen/1%20Oct%202015%205.jpg)

Even with the recess in the forward plenum, my MSD 8594 distributor will not fit as the rear towers on the cap contact the plenum. I have ordered an offset distributor from Swartz about 5 months ago, but I have not heard anything about it since the end of July. So my question is, is there any other offset or low profile distributors available on the market? I am running a crank trigger and locked out timing, so I don't need any pick up or advance mechanism in the distributor.

I will also place a WTB ad in the classifieds.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: fairlanegt427 on October 05, 2015, 06:10:06 PM
what about the ''crab style"  cap
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: fairlanegt427 on October 05, 2015, 06:14:15 PM
I also forgot to sat how nice that Hogan intake is.  is it a m/r   or h/r.    that thing is frickin sweet.  they do such nice work
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on October 05, 2015, 06:23:36 PM
A crab style cap may work, but is there one available to suit a MSD 8594? I had a look at MSD's online catalog, but wasn't sure if there was one to suit.

It is a HR manifold, designed to work with my Blue Thunder HR heads. Sure is pretty, hope it works as good as it looks.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: Nightmist66 on October 05, 2015, 06:29:09 PM
Oooooooooh! Need a bucket for my drool. :P Very, very nice! Swartz makes a nice offset dist. that will work.

http://www.swartzracingmanifolds.com/distributors/index.htm
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: fairlanegt427 on October 05, 2015, 06:32:50 PM
I forgot about Swartz.  I think even just calling jegs or summit tech line I think they could help you out with that cap also.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ec164 on October 05, 2015, 07:08:34 PM
I would check again with Swartz, they sure make a nice one and shouldn't take this long to build unless they are worried about out of country order and if so should've told you...............Al
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: Nightmist66 on October 05, 2015, 07:15:23 PM
I missed the part where you said you already contacted Swartz about the distributor. I guess I was distracted by the picture, simple things amuse simple people. ;D I'm sure I've seen a picture or two of Blair using these on some of his engines. Maybe see if he has access to one?
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on October 05, 2015, 07:30:36 PM
Yes, I have ordered and paid for a distributor from Swartz, that was back in May. I am still waiting  for it, but need to get my engine going. I've tried emailing and phoning with no luck. Our race season starts this month, and I want to get my car going for at least part of it.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ec164 on October 05, 2015, 07:53:22 PM
I should have known you would pay when ordering, odd they don't answer emails or return call.

On another note, your intake looks awesome and can see why your anxious, racing is just starting, heck here it's just ending and need to get long-underwear out soon. Hope that intake works for you, you gotta be ready after this build to start shaking that Fairlane down, should be real Fast Good Luck..............Al
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: fekbmax on October 05, 2015, 08:01:05 PM
Thats the first time I have seen hogan use that type of plenum on a Ford intake. Most I have seen had the offset L shape in the front where this one look's  like they just took a base plenum that they use for "other" intakes and took a chunk  out of it. I have seen a couple FE/Hogan intakes in the past (early to mid 2000's) with the offset L shape in the front and you could squeeze  a base type dizzy with old style cap and 90* wires in.
Very nice piece no doubt but was just surprised to see the way they just chunked it out.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: Nightmist66 on October 05, 2015, 08:02:43 PM
Thats the first time I have seen hogan use that type of plenum on a Ford intake. Most I have seen had the offset L shape in the front where this one look's  like they just took a base plenum that they use for "other" intakes and took a chunk  out of it. I have seen a couple FE/Hogan intakes in the past (early to mid 2000's) with the offset L shape in the front and you could squeeze  a base type dizzy with old style cap and 90* wires in.
Very nice piece no doubt but was just surprised to see the way they just chunked it out.

Good point.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: Barry_R on October 05, 2015, 09:10:50 PM
We have made an adapter to use the Chevy crab cap on a 8594.  Took some creativity but it does work
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on October 05, 2015, 09:32:51 PM
I've ordered a MSD crab cap, #8541. Will see what it takes to adapt it when I get it on Friday.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: 63gal427 on October 06, 2015, 01:14:26 AM
Did you contact Hogans and see what they have to say about it?
Surely they should have notched out the front of the intake enough to fit all types of distributors.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: TomP on October 06, 2015, 01:32:03 AM
I'm not sure why they need that much plenum hanging out ahead of the runners. You could go crank trigger to gain height. I made my own out of a Mallory because I needed the mechanical tach drive but it was just a matter of cutting the bowl off the distributor and modifying the shaft to take the rotor. Gained three inches of room below the front carb bowl. I made my intake clear the big Ford cap, any other cap is even shorter.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on October 06, 2015, 03:30:58 AM
I already have a crank trigger, so no need for the trigger in the distributor.

Was just playing around with my MSD distributor, seeing how much height could be lost by removing the pick up reluctor and the advance mechanism. I could lower the height of the cap by about 20mm or about 25/32", but then I would need to somehow make the cap lower.

Then I had an idea. If I only need to use the distributor to distribute the spark to the plug wires, maybe I could use an old factory distributor. I already have a crank trigger for the signal, and would just need to lock out the mechanical advance, as well as swap a compatible drive gear on. Plus the factory distributor is shorter than the MSD and the female cap plugs are lower again than the MSD HEI male plugs. I don't have the intake at home at the moment to test fit, so will have to wait until Friday to see if it will work, clearance wise.

Can anyone think of a reason a factory distributor wouldn't work, until I get the offset one I have ordered?
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: machoneman on October 06, 2015, 05:44:23 AM
Can anyone think of a reason a factory distributor wouldn't work, until I get the offset one I have ordered?

No, it should work. Not trying to be funny but...the engine doesn't care if it's a crank trigger, OEM Ford ditzy or an aftermarket offset ditzy. Given accurate timing of spark delivery, any of the three choices should work fine. 
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on October 06, 2015, 06:15:12 AM
My thoughts exactly, especially with locked out timing.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: jayb on October 06, 2015, 08:17:03 AM
The factory distributor is probably what Hogan used as a model, so I'll bet that it will fit.

I'm surprised and somewhat disappointed that Swartz Racing took your money and has not delivered the distributor you ordered for five months.  I know all about unexpected delays in production ( ::)), and they are often unavoidable, but to first collect payment, and then take that long for delivery without any notification is really a poor business practice. 
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: CaptCobrajet on October 06, 2015, 07:47:23 PM
Hey Todd,  the small cap Crane race billet has a smaller footprint than even a stock Ford small cap.   Just looking at the pic, I'd bet it will clear.  Need to converse with you by the way.....will send you an email.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on October 06, 2015, 10:25:40 PM
Thanks Blair, I will see how I go with the stock Ford distributor.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: 66FAIRLANE on October 07, 2015, 04:19:54 AM
Maybe keep an eye out also for a Mallory twin point. They are pretty small. Intake looks awesome.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: Barry_R on October 07, 2015, 07:57:11 AM
I've used OEM distributors before on some pretty decent stuff along with crank trigger - they work just fine.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on October 09, 2015, 03:32:19 AM
The OEM distributor fits fine in the intake manifold, so that is what I will use until I get the offset distributor I ordered. Just need to swap a steel cam gear on and lock out the mechanical advance, then it should be good to go.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on October 09, 2015, 05:38:51 PM
I also just wanted to point out that I didn't intend this post to be a dig at Swartz. I have been in touch with that vendor and understand fully the reason for any delay in delivering my order.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: jayb on October 09, 2015, 06:21:39 PM
Well, that's good to hear.  It sounded from what you said earlier like they were non-responsive...
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: Faron on October 09, 2015, 09:33:06 PM
I am Also interested in an offset Dist
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ralc on April 01, 2018, 05:18:38 PM
Not sure if I should post this here or in the private classifieds, but at this point I more enquiring on the availability.

I recently received the Hogan intake manifold for the race engine I am building, and it became apparent that I will require either a low profile distributor or an offset distributor. Here's my intake manifold:

(http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp89/toddkeen/1%20Oct%202015%205.jpg)

Even with the recess in the forward plenum, my MSD 8594 distributor will not fit as the rear towers on the cap contact the plenum. I have ordered an offset distributor from Swartz about 5 months ago, but I have not heard anything about it since the end of July. So my question is, is there any other offset or low profile distributors available on the market? I am running a crank trigger and locked out timing, so I don't need any pick up or advance mechanism in the distributor.

I will also place a WTB ad in the classifieds.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ralc on April 01, 2018, 05:21:18 PM
Nelson Specialties  info@nelsonspecialties.com  has 1 original Autolite offset distributor left. It takes the standard 1965 to 1973 ford cap.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: FB on April 01, 2018, 08:15:22 PM
you do realize this is a 3 year old thread......
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: fekbmax on April 01, 2018, 09:23:21 PM
Nelson Specialties  info@nelsonspecialties.com  has 1 original Autolite offset distributor left. It takes the standard 1965 to 1973 ford cap.

Is there a link for it ?
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: cjshaker on April 01, 2018, 10:29:54 PM
This is the 2nd plug today for that company on OLD threads. And by somebody that appears to be a newcomer. Maybe I'm wrong, but this kinda smells like blatant business advertising.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: ToddK on April 01, 2018, 10:49:23 PM
(https://s14.postimg.org/3o1zh9t0h/9_FF5_F84_B-570_B-4771-9696-5_C79_F2_B36_FB4.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/jmap7en8d/)

I ended up getting mine from Swartz, well worth the wait.
Title: Re: Offset or low profile distributor?
Post by: cjshaker on April 02, 2018, 06:51:58 AM
Edit: Nevermind. None of my business.