Technical What's this distributor

So I'm confused with this distributor. Says it's motocraft 12127. Currently in a Ford 390. But nowhere online has that "gear looking" thing on the shaft. I'd guess the gears passing in the front of the "?" Is what fires off the chambers.....but is it missing g something there?? Capacitor ....points? Or is this an early version of no points? Help.

Larry

 

Just a Duraspark I think...

 

This is not a points distributor. It has either a sensor (Hall Effects or Prox. Switch) that picks up its impulses from the "teeth" on the "gear".

 

Looks like a standard electronic distributor to me.

 

The gear thing is the reluctor. You will need the ignition control module and coil to complete the electronic package. 1976 or newer I think. Those distributors can be converted to points in you desire.

 

duraspark, mid 70s. Stock Ford stuff.

 

Thanks all...all was very helpful. So I understand it was an available upgrade back in the day. Threw me as nothing looked like that on line with that part number. And...as you can tell I have much to learn. Here's the barn find it's in. I'm shooting for a will it run tonight.

 

Once again, Squirrel to the rescue!

 

It's not really an "upgrade", it's the ignition that Ford used on all their cars in the mid 70s.

 

It's in a 65.....so maybe an upgrade to original 65...

 

Somebody swapped out the distributor

 

That's not a 390 intake. Thermostat housing is in the wrong place. Looks more like a 429/460 to me

 

yeah, most likely a 460, since it has that mid 70s look to all the stuff on it.

 

Definitely a Ford Duraspark. I had that setup in a 76 Ford truck. The module would sometimes make a buzzing noise when I turned the key on. On more than one occasion the engine started when I turned the key to on without having to use the starter. I'm pretty sure the module was energizing the coil and making multiple sparks. If the cylinder the rotor happened to be pointing to still had a bit of compression and fuel, it would kick over and start.

 

like a "free start" in a model T

 

"12127" simply identifies it as a Ford/Motorcraft/Autolite distributor. That number goes back to the 50s, possibly beyond.