SBF distributor

I am looking to possibly pick up a duraspark unit for my 302. Parts store asked if I wanted a iron or steel gear thats a new one on me. Whats the difference?

 

It has to do with the change in camshafts when the roller cam came out. If you have a standard cam ask for one to fit a 78 Granada = iron and if you have a roller cam ask for one for a 88 Mustang = steel. If you mix them up you will have a gear failure.

 

Actually most aftermarket distributors such as this:http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=6702-R have steel gears and the steel gear can be used on both roller 5.0 and non-roller early 289-302's.You cannot use an iron gear on the roller cam 5.0 (aka302) do not use a bronze gear on a street driven car due to wear issues.I actually run this http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=6502-BL as you can see in the picture below since it only requires a 12 volt one wire hookup and uses GM HEI parts that can be found anywhere.

 

Trying for a early sixties look on my build it is going in a 62 unibody.

 

A parts store rebuilt will do the trick for an OEM look with a steel gear. I know several guys running a Duraspark distributor with the sixties/early seventies Ford caps - and it works OK.

If you are going to run an electronic trigger system - you can use the Ford Duraspark style controller, an MSD outfit - or even an HEI adapted controller - and with decent wiring park any of them out of sight as long as they've got a way to cool properly.

 

Anybody have a spare duraspark? I would rather work out something with someone on here than the parts store

 

The big hei might work ok but it's to chebby looking for me and to big. I prefer a small cap as well. I run petronics conversion in a couple of my cars. One is 12 yrs old, works great, looks great.

 

What year is the 302? I have a Duraspark out in the garage from a 1984 Lincoln MK VII 5.0/302 which had a hydraulic flat tappet cam $35 including shipping and it's yours.Send me a pm if you want it.

 

JeffB2 got the Duraspark. Perfect for what I am doing Thank you It's great.

 

That is one ugly dist. in a Ford. Just screws up the look of a sbf.

 

Here's a pic of a petronics conversion in a 1963 housing with the little oiler hole and fomoco on it

 

20-30$ from vatozone for an 85 mustang duraspark 302 distributor with a roller cam gear ,,can also be adapted to run with m.s.d boxes.