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  •  » Distributor and ignition box ?

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    6/26/2014 9:02 PM  #1

    DBROWN
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    Registered: 9/10/2013
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    Distributor and ignition box ?

    I recently rebuilt a 302 roller motor and planned on using the distributor and ignition box from my 289. The distributor is a billet Mallory with a part number on it that I can not find referenced anywhere. Inside the cap it says elctronic advace system. It has an electronic ignition box with no part number. My question is will this system work on a 302 roller motor if it is meant for a 289? Do the motors have a different firing order, and does that matter? I can't remember the year of the 302 block.

     

    6/26/2014 9:41 PM  #2

    HenryJ
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    From: Westlake, TX
    Registered: 4/11/2013
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    Re: Distributor and ignition box ?

    289/302 use the same distributor. You'll need a brass distributor gear if you're running an aftermarket billet steel roller cam. The factory Ford roller cams found in HO engines after 1985 require a steel gear. 302's before 1985 used cast iron gears.

    Last edited by HenryJ (6/26/2014 9:43 PM)

     

    6/27/2014 3:59 AM  #3

    Nasty65
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    Registered: 4/21/2013
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    Re: Distributor and ignition box ?

    289 has a different firing order than a later model factory hyd roller pushrod 5.0 (302).  5.0 has same firing order as the 351W.  Need more info on the ign box (mallory, msd, etc...part number) to see if it will work, probably will.  Probably just have to get the plug wires landed in the correct order on the distributor.  Factory hyd roller distributors did come with a steel gear, but a distributor from the 289 will work fine if the gear is swapped to a stee or bronze unit.  Cast iron distributor gear is not compatible with most steel roller cams.

    289 firing order:  1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

    5.0 (H.O.)  firing order:  1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

    Last edited by Nasty65 (6/27/2014 7:24 AM)

     

    6/27/2014 9:19 AM  #4

    DBROWN
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    Re: Distributor and ignition box ?

      The ignition box is Mallory, it doesn't have any part number or model number. I will try to post pics tomorrow. I believe the gear is steel. The gear has a number on it that I googled and it was steel, which means it would have been the wrong one for the 289 application. I will double check that because I know it is important.
     The thing that confused me is when I was trying to find out what the distributor was , I couldnt find any info on it, so I went to Summitt and they show different distributor selections for a 289 and a late model 5.0 in the Mallory line. 

    Nasty65 wrote:

    289 has a different firing order than a later model factory hyd roller pushrod 5.0 (302).  5.0 has same firing order as the 351W.  Need more info on the ign box (mallory, msd, etc...part number) to see if it will work, probably will.  Probably just have to get the plug wires landed in the correct order on the distributor. Factory hyd roller distributors did come with a steel gear, but a distributor from the 289 will work fine if the gear is swapped to a stee or bronze unit. Cast iron distributor gear is not compatible with most steel roller cams.

    289 firing order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

    5.0 (H.O.) firing order: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

     

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    6/27/2014 9:24 AM  #5

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: Distributor and ignition box ?

    Fuel injected 5.0 engines have a computer controlled distributor that will not work unless you have the matching computer and EFI system.  289 and earlier 302/5.0 engines use the normal, "if it spins, it fires" distributor using mechanical and vacuum advance.

    A steel gear will have a 100% machined finish on it.  Cast iron gears are typically rough "as-cast" finish except for the ID and the gear teeth.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    6/27/2014 9:25 AM  #6

    hmartin025
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    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Distributor and ignition box ?

    dbrown, a steel gear (AFAIK) is completely machined where the cast gear is only machined on the teeth and the Brass gear is well, Brass
    Howard

     

    6/27/2014 11:51 AM  #7

    Michael H.
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    From: Laurel, MS
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Distributor and ignition box ?

    MustangSteve wrote:

    Fuel injected 5.0 engines have a computer controlled distributor that will not work unless you have the matching computer and EFI system.  289 and earlier 302/5.0 engines use the normal, "if it spins, it fires" distributor using mechanical and vacuum advance.

    A steel gear will have a 100% machined finish on it.  Cast iron gears are typically rough "as-cast" finish except for the ID and the gear teeth.

    That is true in most cases, but I believe some early 302 roller cam engines had duraspark ignitions... in which case it should work fine as long as he uses the correct distributor gear and puts the spark plug wires in the correct order to match the firing order of the camshaft.

     

    6/27/2014 12:46 PM  #8

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Distributor and ignition box ?

    Don't use a brass gear on the distributer, they have a limited life span in a SBF.
     Use a steel gear on a billet cam and a cast iron gear on a factory cast iron cam.
     They also make a polimer gear that is "supposed" to work on all cams, I'd say no thanks to that as well.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    6/27/2014 3:34 PM  #9

    Nasty65
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    Re: Distributor and ignition box ?

    I would strongly suggest a brass gear, and put it on a routine check.  I've seen several instances of steel gears causing wear on steal roller cams, although it takes longer.  once the gear on the cam is worn the cam is pretty much toasted as it generally costs more to repair than replace the cam.  I'd also suggest doing the "pin hole" mod on the threaded in oil galley plug directly behind the distributor gear.  The pin hole will supply a continuous spray of oil on the distributor gear, both extending the lifespan of the gear and will NOT hurt overall system oil pressure.  It's a personal preference thing, but I find it easier and cheaper to replace a brass gear than a whole camshaft if the mesh pattern isn't perfect resulting in wear.

     

    Last edited by Nasty65 (6/27/2014 3:39 PM)

     

    6/27/2014 9:32 PM  #10

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: Distributor and ignition box ?

    Simple answer is...............order a steel gear from Summit(or who ever) and swap it onto your shaft. EZ! Cheap too. No probs after that.
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

     

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