SBC Crab style cap- Accel... Mallory...???

I am wondering if any one of you have ever used a crab style cap for a SBC? I have a hood cleance issue and have seen pics of these. I know that Mallory makes one (221/A/B) and I have seen a listing for an Accel unit (Parts Geek #14211-03000655- doesn't seem to be an Accel #). Neither are available locally, and I am reluctant to buy one online without the guarantee that it will work. I am running a stock chevy dizzy with a petronix conversion. I was told the application was from a 66-72 V8. It uses the spring clamp style hold down and has an inner lip on the cap.

Can anyone out there help me- save the aggravation of a mail ordered part that doesn't fit and the hassel of returning said part.

Thanks!!

J-

These are what I am looking at:

 

They are called crossfire caps. Heard they were junk. Not sure they make them anymore.

 

The cap you show originally was used on the flat head fords with the
front mounted distributors. Both Mallory and MSD have used this style
of caps on their crank trigger distributors. MSD has brought out this
style cap w/ HEI(male terminals) P/N# 8541. This cap will not fit a
standard chevy points style distributor. Recently MSD has brought out
a new Flat-Top Pro-Billet distributor P/N# 84891 which uses the flat style
cap w/ HEI terminals. It only has a mechanical advance and must be run
with the MSD control box. The good news is that it is only 4.76" tall from
the mounting boss on the intake manifold to the top of the distributor
cap. However it is not cheap, it jobbers for $426.70 plus the cost of
the MSD control box required to run the distributor.

Hope this helps, John

 

Mallory did make a distributor with a crab type cap. It to was a mechanical advance only.



The number is YL - 520 -CV

They show up on eBay oftern. Usually less than 75 dollars
Mine worked GREAT ... on my little 283 with a lumpy solid lifter camshaft.

 

Seems to me I saw a lot of them on marine applications for inboard engines. Might be good to try a boat dealer.

 

I used a Mallory crab cap on my sbc Unilite - you need the right rotor, but it worked just fine and dandy. Take a look at the Mallory catalog (mine's in storage or somewhere) and you can read their interchange chart. I didn't need the room, I just liked the look.

 

I bet bubba would know.

 

I have quite a few of these rebuilt ready to run with new cap and rotor. They were used for clearance issues on lots of stuff.
Hows $175 plus shipping for a built dual point complete, curved for the small bloc chevy??? $250 same unit with pertronix module.......
I can get some pictures if needed........

 

Fellas, thanks for all the replies- you've given me some things to think about.
Bubba- so glad you chimed in- thought this sounds like wallet might get a little slimmer. I have PM'd you about the dizzys you have. Please send the pics along.

Thanks,

HammeredT

 

pciture from the shop walll. The mallory crab cap with contacts is $175 and electronic is $250. Got a couple ready to ship.
Inatke to top of cap is 4 3/4 inches

 

I have one from a stock '97 Chevy Silverado 1500 in my roadster , no problems .

 

Would like to hear how you handled the electronic crank sensor in the 97 Chevrolet unit ? That should make a good exchange but no advance mechanism??

 

that 97 one sounds way too cool I would also like to know more?

 

Do these caps reorganize the wires too?

 

I think he is saying you use just the cap ?? but i may be wrong

 

THE CAPS SHOWN ABOVE ARE not CROSSFIRE CAPS !!
Totally different discussion. The crab cap is the early ford crap style cap used on some aftermarket units as well.

 

The one cap pictured (maroon) is what came on my 77 Hawaiian day cruiser with a 350 Chevy. The dist is Mallory with mech advance only. Just bought a new one with new rotor and points from Summit

 

100% correct.

I am pretty sure we still have 1 or 2 Accel version crab caps in the cabinate.

 

My apologies. If I may, where does one find a crossfire non HEI cap?

 

Best of my knowledge the crossfire is only available in large case GM hei caps.