ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

[johnzonh]

hey all,

I posted a while ago about our 888 / 302 not accelerating much past a fast idle..and had no power under load. I think many speculated a fuel issue but I did indeed check into the distributor .. took it apart and the weights, springs...etc were all rusted (im surprised it ran) and the bushings were kinda shot.

so... is there anyone who sells a rebuild kit.. and outside of the usual points and rotor and all that... if nobody sells something for that... can i just replace the springs and bushings? I just don't have the $$$ to swing a whole new dist. or switch to an elec ignition. thoughts?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

Well you can replace the rotor/weights/spings pretty cheap, but what bushings are you referring to? If it's any consolation, you can PM me and I have a prestolite dizzy from a 351 (same dizzy) that was in perfect order when I removed it a few months ago.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

Well you can replace the rotor/weights/spings pretty cheap, but what bushings are you referring to? If it's any consolation, you can PM me and I have a prestolite dizzy from a 351 (same dizzy) that was in perfect order when I removed it a few months ago.

A 351W dist will not fit a 302. Different oil pump drive hex size.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

I'm sorry, I thought the dizzy was the same. I never thought about the hex size. Good info. I'd still like to know what bushings are worn.

 

[Bondo]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

Ayuh,... If you've got a Ford Autolite distributer, you need a New distributer...
Autolite has Never built a Marine rated distributer....

 

[Aloysius]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

I agree with Bondo. I rebuild/curve distributors, and I've never seen a marine autolite.

 

[johnzonh]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

hmm ahh the bushings are just on the weights (for the pins) I am relieved I don't have to hunt down a fuel problem though. the way the springs are rusted..looks as if someone tried to use something non-marine grade. You guys got back on this one FAST..thanks.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

I'm sure he meant prestolite.

 

[Aloysius]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

The guts (advance stuff) can be interchanged between the Ford units. I've got twin 302's with Prestolites, and had a 351 Prestolite in my shop. Seems like the difference was the physical length of the distributor. The timing chain/cam is the same on both engines, only the block is taller to compensate for the longer stroke on the 351.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

The deck is taller, but I don't think the block itself is any taller where the dizzy sits. The size of the oil pump driveshaft is what appears to be different. I'm sure the 351w uses a larger diameter hex than what the 302 does.

 

[Aloysius]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

I can't remember exactly, hauling, but I know the advance mechanism components inside the body can be interchanged.

I run 36-37 degrees TOTAL, but I don't do sustained full throttle. Seems like there's about 24 degrees in the distributor, and 2 positions available to limit total advance.

 

[captk]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

Merc used 4 different distributors in the 888's Mallory, Prestolite. Autolite, and a Mercury marine that I think used Autolite parts.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

Ayuh,... If you've got a Ford Autolite distributer, you need a New distributer...
Autolite has Never built a Marine rated distributer....

Yes, actually they did. Check the Merc service manual...theres a reason Autolite points are in the Sierra catalog...

 

[johnzonh]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

hmmm let me check on it guys. thanks for the intel. autolite / prestolite makes me wonder... i may have been drugged senseless when I typed it..

<<looks thru the manual...

<<hes back...

ok yeah i was drugged senseless... not a mallory..not delco...definitely not autolite... prestolite???? im looking for some better pictures.

 

[Aloysius]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

I'll fix it for some of those drugs...............................

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

Nope, dizzy's are different.

^^ We established that ^^

 

[johnzonh]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

ok...well im pretty sure its prestolite. ok now im wondering...how much would an electronic conversion cost or involve?

 

[Aloysius]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

Electronic conversion won't change the advance requirements. I don't know where you are, but you can probably find a Prestolite pretty cheap. The only difference between standard and reverse rotation distributor is the drive gear, btw, and it can be interchanged.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: ford 302 autolite dist rebuild ?

If you are looking at a new dizzy, just get a pertronix unit and be done with it. They have billet distributors that won't break the bank and are electronic, so it gets rid of the points. They still have mechanical advance springs, but you shouldn't need to worry about it.