Distributor height

[afret]

Anyone know if the stock Ford distributor with the old small cap (or the small cap with the male terminals) is shorter than the MSD unit and if so by how much?  Thanks.

[fekbmax]

I do know that the old Mallory YL distributor with the female cap is the shortest most compact package that I have found. Ofcourse you could gain even more clearance with a crab cab as well. There may be another combo out there that's shorter though.
I have used the YL housings with everything from points to unilite, to pertronx, and now have it stripped and gutted for locked out timing.

[afret]

Thanks.  Yeah, those old Mallory caps are pretty small.  My street car had one of those when I bought it. 

[cjshaker]

Earl, I just measured 3 of my distributors. Here's the measurements I got.

From the intake to the top of the cap (no wires)....

Ford (small cap): 6"
MSD (socket style): 7"
MSD (terminal style): 7 3/8"

FYI, My MSD unit with the terminal style cap will just BARELY fit under my stock 2x4 MR intake with stock air-cleaner. But it fits.

[afret]

Earl, I just measured 3 of my distributors. Here's the measurements I got.

From the intake to the top of the cap (no wires)....

Ford (small cap): 6"
MSD (socket style): 7"
MSD (terminal style): 7 3/8"

FYI, My MSD unit with the terminal style cap will just BARELY fit under my stock 2x4 MR intake with stock air-cleaner. But it fits.

Thanks, Doug!   Wow, the Ford unit is a full inch shorter.