FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / Distributor question

**Posted by Jim Bowie** 4/16/2024 9:08 AM

Cardone must use metric screws to hold points, so the little nib on Pertronix unit has to be file to fit hole, that wasn't hard to do, but then the magnetic collar that slips over the dist. cam is to big or the cam is to small, that's when i called the tech line and was told the kit wouldn't work on the aftermarket dist.

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 4/16/2024 3:48 PM

And this is why we need to make stuff in America again. I ran into this last week with a machine screw (or so it seemed) for a ceiling fan I was installing. Seemed like a 10-32, but wasn't. Wasn't a 10-24 either. I also tried an M5x0.70 I believe. Nope. Some baystard Chinese thread, probably some metric size not commonly found like an M5x0.50 or something. If it was made in the USA it would have been a 10-32, 10-24, or 1/4-20 and my problem resolved in a 5 minute trip to the hardware store. No, instead it ended with a tap and die set and a lot of 4 letter words and disparaging comments about various administrations and the PRC.

**Posted by John Ha** 4/17/2024 5:42 AM

Jim Bowie wrote:
Cardone must use metric screws to hold points, so the little nib on Pertronix unit has to be file to fit hole, that wasn't hard to do, but then the magnetic collar that slips over the dist. cam is to big or the cam is to small, that's when i called the tech line and was told the kit wouldn't work on the aftermarket dist.

Is the Cardone a remanufactured unit? If it is it should have the same fasteners and configuration as the original, since it is a remanufactured original unit. At least that's the case with the products of theirs that I've bought. My Cardone distributors even have the original part numbers in the castings - I've bought the remanufactured Duraspark distributors for the 75 or 78 model years for my engines.

**Posted by Jim Bowie** 4/17/2024 6:00 AM

John Ha wrote:
Jim Bowie wrote:
Cardone must use metric screws to hold points, so the little nib on Pertronix unit has to be file to fit hole, that wasn't hard to do, but then the magnetic collar that slips over the dist. cam is to big or the cam is to small, that's when i called the tech line and was told the kit wouldn't work on the aftermarket dist.
Is the Cardone a remanufactured unit? If it is it should have the same fasteners and configuration as the original, since it is a remanufactured original unit. At least that's the case with the products of theirs that I've bought. My Cardone distributors even have the original part numbers in the castings - I've bought the remanufactured Duraspark distributors for the 75 or 78 model years for my engines.

No, the Cardone was a new unit, I did see Remanufactured ones on Rock Auto, the problem though is Cardone was the one company doing it, I would think remanufacture would mean using the old original units and rebuilding them the same.

**Posted by BobE** 4/17/2024 7:08 AM

TKOPerformance wrote:
And this is why we need to make stuff in America again. I ran into this last week with a machine screw (or so it seemed) for a ceiling fan I was installing. Seemed like a 10-32, but wasn't. Wasn't a 10-24 either. I also tried an M5x0.70 I believe. Nope. Some baystard Chinese thread, probably some metric size not commonly found like an M5x0.50 or something. If it was made in the USA it would have been a 10-32, 10-24, or 1/4-20 and my problem resolved in a 5 minute trip to the hardware store. No, instead it ended with a tap and die set and a lot of 4 letter words and disparaging comments about various administrations and the PRC.

I've run into similar issues with "small hardware" that I couldn't find either standard or metric taps or dies that fit. I did the same thing, tapped it to a tread I had screws that fit.

**Posted by John Ha** 4/17/2024 10:55 AM

Jim Bowie wrote:
I would think remanufacture would mean using the old original units and rebuilding them the same.

OK, so that's what I'm saying. The remanufactured ones, at least the ones I've bought through OReilly, Autozone and where-ever else, have all been OE units that were refurbished with whatever parts were required to restore them to "as new" condition. The Duraspark distributors I bought for my 250 and for the 351 all have the original Ford castings with Ford part numbers in the castings. Admittedly my experience is limited, but I've never encountered any issues with parts fitment; whether it's fasteners, rotors, caps or anything else.

Last edited by John Ha (4/17/2024 11:02 AM)

**Posted by Jim Bowie** 4/24/2024 5:58 AM

Update on Distributor, found a remanufactured one with no core charge, it was done by the Cardone company, same as the new one I purchased but didn't work out. This one is actually an old Autolite one, C8TF 12127. The Pertronix fits right in, and it has the cast iron gear. They were out of stock almost every where I was looking except for Walmart, go figure. Well one more thing off the list, should be ready to fire it up and break it in, in the next couple of weeks.

**Posted by rpm** 4/24/2024 11:23 AM

That's good to hear. It's crazy what Wally carries and has access to.

Last edited by RPM, aka Bearing Bob (4/27/2024 9:11 PM)

**Posted by RCodePaul** 4/25/2024 2:43 PM

RPM, aka Bearing Bob wrote:
That's good to hear. It's crazy what Wally carries or has access to.

AKA Bakersfield Bob - Just read this week about Wally and other big brands trying to compete with Amazon. So yes, Wally, FedEx and of course eBay. I'm thinking that's a good thing. Unfortunately, loved/hated Amazon is focused on heading off any legit competition. So much so that they have created companies including one they named Big River. It's an arm of Amazon that surreptitiously gathers competitive evidence. DuckDuckGo it. Real deal.

Last edited by RCodePaul (4/25/2024 2:45 PM)

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 4/26/2024 5:09 AM

Its kind of crazy to see this stuff play out in modern times, especially given we live in a time after the Sherman Antitrust Act became law. I feel like eventually Amazon is going to run afoul of that though, as happened with Microsoft.

**Posted by Nos681** 4/27/2024 7:29 PM

That is an understatement RPM.

**Posted by RCodePaul** 5/10/2024 1:30 PM

Just installed this gem in my 65 fb this week. Wonder what Wal*Mart sells the full assembly for???

Last edited by RCodePaul (5/10/2024 1:34 PM)

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 5/11/2024 7:06 AM

I'd just pick up a center section from Quick Performance. I'm sure its cheaper. I just got some stuff from them for a 10.5" for one of my trucks. Yukon parts way cheaper than anywhere else. $540 LSD clutch kit for $400.

**Posted by rpm** 5/11/2024 10:08 AM

RCodePaul wrote:
Just installed this gem in my 65 fb this week. Wonder what Wal*Mart sells the full assembly for???

Nice work on that rear housing assembly. What do you charge?

**Posted by True74yamaha** 5/11/2024 11:13 AM

I'm considering the Edelbrock coil per plug DISTRIBUTOR. HOLLEY makes a similar unit. I was under the impression that pertronix need points kit doesn't work with aftermarket distributors but I may be wrong.

**Posted by True74yamaha** 5/11/2024 11:17 AM

RPM, aka Bearing Bob wrote:
RCodePaul wrote:
Just installed this gem in my 65 fb this week. Wonder what Wal*Mart sells the full assembly for???

Nice work on that rear housing assembly. What do you charge?

Looks awesome what model disc brakes do you have installed also what model hoses did you install on each end? I know the middle hose is stock. Also what brand paint did you use on the center?

Last edited by True74yamaha (5/11/2024 11:18 AM)

**Posted by Nos681** 5/11/2024 8:15 PM

Looks great Paul…and heavy.

**Posted by Nos681** 7/06/2024 6:10 AM

TKOPerformance wrote:
And this is why we need to make stuff in America again. I ran into this last week with a machine screw (or so it seemed) for a ceiling fan I was installing. Seemed like a 10-32, but wasn't. Wasn't a 10-24 either. I also tried an M5x0.70 I believe. Nope. Some baystard Chinese thread, probably some metric size not commonly found like an M5x0.50 or something. If it was made in the USA it would have been a 10-32, 10-24, or 1/4-20 and my problem resolved in a 5 minute trip to the hardware store. No, instead it ended with a tap and die set and a lot of 4 letter words and disparaging comments about various administrations and the PRC.

6-32, 8-32, and 10-32 are common sizes.

Keep them all same for future changes and generations.

I’m sure I would have had a few choice words myself. 😂

Last edited by Nos681 (7/06/2024 6:11 AM)