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EFV-8 Club Forum / 1940 Ford Discussion / Crab style distributor replacement

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Discussion Topic: Crab style distributor replacement

gwistrup

04-11-2026 @ 10:24 AM

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I knew the engine in my 1940 Tudor Sedan was not the original when I bought the car and now I have finally figured out that it is a 1942 Mercury 100 HP flat head. The biggest visible giveaway compared to the original engine is the crab style distributor. I don't want to upset the purists, but if I put a diver's helmet distributor on my Mercury engine, it would look more original. Can I put an older 3 bolt timing cover in place of my 2 bolt timing cover so I could put the diver's helmet distributor on my newer engine? Is the drive at the end of the camshaft the same?

TomO

04-11-2026 @ 10:43 AM

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Yes you can. You will also have to buy an adapter that will fill the space from the shorter camshaft nose. Most vendors carry the adapter.

Tom

ford38v8

04-11-2026 @ 11:23 AM

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To add a detail to Tom’s advice, the timing cover will require a rope seal (half) replacement, a simple enough task, they do come with specific instructions.

Alan

carcrazy

04-11-2026 @ 3:59 PM

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You can get everything you need to do this swap from VanPelt:
Camshaft to distributor adapter - 11A-6280
1932 to 1941 3-bolt distributor mount front cover (NOS) - 18-6019
Rope seal upper or lower - B-6700-A

gwistrup

04-12-2026 @ 7:26 AM

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Thank you. I was just on the phone to Van Pelt's last week looking for some bearings and rings. They sent me to Red's Vintage Parts. I will call them back.

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