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Will the Delco distributor 110865 substitute for the Autolite 1BJ-4001D that is installed in my 1956 Clipper 352 engine?
My logic for this swap is that an electronic module is available for the Delco and to my knowledge there is not one available for the Autolite. Thanks,Carl

I've never tried the swap but they should be interchangeable. The only catch MIGHT be the gear. Check the parts manual to determine if the distributor gears are the same OR just be sure u get a Delco with a gear on it. Caps and rotor and points mite be different.

Not sure why u want the e-ignition but to each his own.

Be sure to carry a SPARE control module in the car for the e-ignition. What's the cost of a spare control module?????

See Page 3. NO distributor swap needed. Uses LOCAL parts store off-the-shelf parts. Ford TFI conversion. The man who came up with this was a real ace at these kind of things. Havn't tried it yet myself:

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... rum=12&post_id=40437#forumpost40437

"Not sure why u want the e-ignition but to each his own."

I went with pertronix e-ignition so that condenser issues, points gap and dwell problems were a thing of the past. Literally make sure you're timing is good and you're set to go.

ok. What do u do when the e-ignition control module becomes an "issue" (when it goes bad)???? Is a bad control module in someway better than a bad condensor???? Condensor about $5. Control module $50-$200.

Quote:

When I bought my '55 Clipper Super, it had a Delco distributor with the Petronic (sp.?) conversion. I had the Delco distributor removed and the proper stock Autolite distributor installed. So, to answer your question, yes a Delco will fit, mechanically, but don't know how well it will work due to different advance specifications. My guess is you would not be able to notice the difference. Someone here should have your answer. Or, you could check the manuals section and compare the two distributor specifications.

(o{I}o)

PackardV8 wrote Quote:

Put in a MSD-5 instead. It uses stock points, etc and will convert back to stock with merely a jumper wire (supplied). The beauty of the MSD is that it reduces the current through the points to practically zero while providing multiple spark on each firing. I've had one on my 55 Pat for about 10 years and never had a problem.

Craig

I have a Crane Hi-6 multispark system in my Volvo for 10 years without a problem. It is a very reliable and easy to install system also.

No one who actually runs a pertronix has ever reported a failure. You're more likely to blow two tires, throw a driveshaft, or other issue causing your car to need to be towed than have the pertronix fail and need towed. The only people who worry about failures are people who haven't run one.

I've run 3 on different models so far over the last 5 or so years, and none have ever failed.

I did have a pertronix brand coil fail, but it was on a boat and i did use the cheap one instead of the epoxy filled one that they called for.

With that said, you can swap the breaker plate on the side of the road to run it back to points if you're that worried.