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Spalding Grant Flamethrowers....... whos run-in one?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by visor, Mar 5, 2004.

  1. visor
    Joined: Aug 11, 2002
    Posts: 513

    visor
    Member Emeritus
    from Missouri

    I've got an old Spalding/Grant flamethrower
    distributor that I want to run in my 58 283 chevy
    motor.
    Anybody with a history and use of one of these baby's.

    Does any place still have parts for these?

    TIA..... Mike
    -------------------------------------------------------
     
  2. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,757

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    [​IMG]
    I ran one years ago. I still have it. It's basicly 2 4 cyl ignition systems. One for each bank. Each side has it's own balast resistor, coil, condenser and set of points. Some had a vacuum advance on the top side but most were used for racing and were strictly mecanical. It's main advantage was less point float at high RPMS. Probably not a great system for the street but it really looks cool. I'd run it again.
     
  3. Jkustom
    Joined: Oct 8, 2002
    Posts: 1,686

    Jkustom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    There is a fella running around here with one on a 6x2 olds motor....I will ask him if I remember. In fact, a while ago he said he had most of one for my nailhead, so Im curios too.... -J.
     
  4. gettingreasy
    Joined: Sep 21, 2002
    Posts: 817

    gettingreasy
    Member

    They sure look good, I've never ran one but I almost bought 2 of them for a SBC from a dude at a swap for 75 bucks. I kick myself for not doing it, even tho Deyomatic passed on a no-name 3x2 with carbs(Holley 94's)for 125 from the same guy.
    -Jesse
     

  5. visor
    Joined: Aug 11, 2002
    Posts: 513

    visor
    Member Emeritus
    from Missouri

    Well, I guess these babys have become garage art.
    Mine is goin back on the street.

    Thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like we
    could all use some more info on parts etc. if
    its out there. I did here someone was rebuilding
    them and upgrading the dual points to electronic.
    --------------------------------------------------------
    "OPOSSUM BENDERS"
    Central Missouri Chapter
     
  6. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,757

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    [​IMG]
    Yes they can be converted to electronic as shown here but it would be costly. I'd run it as it was intended. I'm only going on my feeble memory, but I think it uses a set 53 Ford points (Flathead) and a set 54 Ford points (Y block). They are mirror images of each other. Of course the caps and rotor are Spalding only. I can't confirm but I bet they are the same parts for any motor application. A light bead blasting should clean up any corrosion. I don't know if MSD boxes care how many cyl.s they feed but, you could use two of them. They are 2 completely independent 4 cyl ignition systems in one housing.

    When I ran mine I had the two coils mounted on the firewall next to it and go lots of WTF's from people.
     
  7. visor
    Joined: Aug 11, 2002
    Posts: 513

    visor
    Member Emeritus
    from Missouri

    Hey Tommy thanks for the additional info
    on the points. I thought they looked like
    Fords.
    I here you on the WTF's...... I'm also going to
    run it as is with two big finned Blue Streak
    coils that I have had since the 60's.
    You can never put too much stuff on a Deuce
    firewall! [​IMG]
    ----------------------------------------------------------
    "OPOSSUM BENDERS"
    Central missouri Chapter
     
  8. Bringing this back from the grave...

    Let's see what you got!
     
  9. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 30,778

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    I know that @Tuck is currently running one of these on the Ranchero
     
    Tuck and 1933_willys_77 like this.
  10. Tuck
    Joined: May 14, 2001
    Posts: 5,780

    Tuck
    Tech Editor
    from MINNESOTA
    1. Early Hemi Tech

    I am running one in my Ranch on a 351w. Works great!
     
    Elcohaulic, 61cad and Moriarity like this.
  11. ol-nobull
    Joined: Oct 16, 2013
    Posts: 1,655

    ol-nobull
    Member

    Hi. Totally different but the flame throwers I remember back in the 50's consisted of installing a spark plug near the end of tailpipe wired to a Model A or T coil in the trunk to a flip switch on the dash. Run it up in second gear and let off the gas pedal and pull the manual choke out all the way so engine would pass gas and flip the switch. WOWEE - flamethrower. Jimmie
     
  12. Ottomotive
    Joined: Oct 6, 2017
    Posts: 32

    Ottomotive
    Member
    from Arkansas

    I put it in 1961. Still runs good. IMG_0930.jpg
     
  13. With the advent of 3D printing, I bet caps could be reproduced...
     
    Max Gearhead likes this.

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