[Molon Labe]

I'm dropping a '94 351W from a Ford truck into a '67 Fairlane and wondering if there's any reason the stock distributor won't work. Does it get wired like an original points style distributor?

Alternatively, I'm considering a Petronix distributor. Should I just forget about the stock unit?

 

[Rip VW]

My personal opinion is I would take your stock points style distributor and do a pertronix point conversion kit. Cheap and for a stock motor it will function fine and even on some stout street motors.

 

[ericnova72]

The stock '94 distributor can't be used, unless you use the original application computer (or aftermarket computer control)...timing on the '94 is entirely the computer, the distributor has no mechanical or vacuum advance mechanisms, it is just a magnetic trigger.

Make sure whatever distributor you use has a gear compatible with whatever cam you put in the engine.

If you want basic electronic and stock, the mid-70's Duraspark and it's box is easy enough to hook up....again, make sure gear is compatible.

If you want one wire easy, get a HEI style for a 351W Ford, internal module andcoil-in cap aftermarket distributor.

 

[techinspector1]

This looks like a good place to throw in some info about cam gears and distributor drive gears compatibility......

https://www.enginebuildermag.com/2009/07/properly-matching-your-camshaft-and-distributor-gear/

https://www.onedirt.com/tech/engine...fusion-out-of-distributor-gear-compatibility/

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/chevy-hydraulic-roller-cam-get-right-distributor-gear/

https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/distributor-gear-lubrification

https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-fo...eel-distributor-gear-on-my-roller-cam.735988/

slowing distributor gear wear | Grumpys Performance Garage

Cams, Camshaft Accessories (Lubricants, Dist. Gears, Etc) - Lunati Power

 

[70BossRanchero]

The 94 351 truck motor should have a roller cam in it, so you will need a steel gear on the dist. I would go with the duraspark dist. You may be able to reuse the gear off of the EFI dist which came in the 94 engine. I am building a 95 5.8 right now to put in my 87 F-150 4x4.

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

 

[Molon Labe]

Great feedback guys, and those websites from Techinspector1 were particularly informative. Yes, it's a roller motor. I'm going to be running a Howard's cam and they advised using an iron gear. I noticed a lot of distributors (including Pertronix) come with steel gears but nobody notes if the're Melonized. Is the type of hardening used really that specific? I'm looking into the Duraspark with an ignition control module and figuring out the wiring.

 

[Molon Labe]

While reading up on Duraspark I came across this article. Thought it was worth sharing.

The Ultimate Duraspark Distributor Timing Guide.

 

[Molon Labe]

Will all Duraspark II distributors for a 351W from '77 - '84 fit a '94 351W?

 

[ericnova72]

Will all Duraspark II distributors for a 351W from '77 - '84 fit a '94 351W?

Yes, but again...make sure driven gear is compatible with cam material. '77-84 is flat tappet years....'94 is definitely hydro roller unless you've changed it.

 

[Molon Labe]

Thanks Eric,

The engine will still be a hydraulic roller. Howard Cams recommends an iron gear and the replacement distributor I'm looking at comes with iron. I've done some research and the wiring is pretty straight forward as you said. I tromped through a snowy junkyard yesterday and pulled a harness off a pick-up so I'm in pretty good shape. I just wanted confirmation on the fit before ordering the distributor and control module.