Thread: SBF Distributor Sizes

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Okay, SBF distributors come in two shaft sizes. I swapped from one to the other today. The original was .46" diameter and the new one was .51" diameter. The housings appeared identical though I didn't mic them. And, like a moron, I threw the old one out.

Now, is there any reason WHATSOEVER that a distributor with the larger shaft would NOT fit in an '86 roller-cam H.O. block where a distributor with the smaller shaft had been?

I swapped out the bronze distributor gear and turned it on a lathe to size to adapt to the bigger shaft. Now the #$!*&er appears to not fit through the block at the first ring on the housing, like it's 1/16" too wide.

I don't think it's hanging up on anything inside, as I can pivot it on the housing, and by measurement I haven't even hit the oil pump shaft, yet.

I am open to suggestions.

No, there are more than two shaft sizes for 302/289/260 engine family. Also the oil pump shaft is different. There was an odd dist in the mid-eighties that was only in place for one or two years. It had a different size and is ultra rare. You can not even purchase it from Ford anymore.

That sound you just heard was me banging my head against my desk. It only makes sense that they'd change everything from one year to the next. It's Ford! What am I thinking?

Would you know if the housings are the same size?

i've run into the same problem before too.... i was stuck though cause my dist shaft broke and i got a rebuilt one after walking 10 miles to a parts store and back, didn't wanna fit tho, so i just smacked it in there and it was nice and snug, really hard to adjust timing, but it worked for a good month or so before i sold the car... but i wouldn't reccomend doing such things with the leisure of being at home

Ayup. Now I'm in my shop, and I just mic'd the old and new distributor. The old housing is 1.490" where it intersects the block, and the new one is 1.568".

I just turned the new one down to 1.490" on my lathe and put it back together. I'll try again, tonight. Man, what a PITA.