Cam sensor for 460

I'm looking to convert my EFI'd 582" BBF from an MS 2 based batch fire set up to an MS3x sequential EMS and the hold up seems to be the lack of a readily available cam sensor?

I've read a number of other posts in other places, but fabricating sleeves for a 3.8L unit is beyond my ability. Has anyone here solved this issue?

Is there a cam sensor for other Ford's maybe from Australia for 351C-429? I'm reaching but the only alternative I've found is to sacrifice an MSD distributor. I'm running TFS A-460 heads and a tunnel ram so space is at a premium.

Thoughts?

Are there any available for a 351W? The dizzy's are interchangeable with a gear swap.

There are some aftermarket units for the 351W, not the 351C which is identical to the 429-460.

So I am clear, I can put the gear from one of my old 429-460 distributors on a 351W cam sensor unit and I'm good to go?

Is there a factory cam sensor for the 351W? I have found them for the 5.0 Explorer motors, but 351 applications

the 315w has a 5/16'' hex in it like the 351c,429-460 does and yes just swap the gears the 5.0 will not have it has a 1/4''hex for the oil pump.

I have forgotten what little I knew about SBFs. Is a 302 distributor the same length from the underside clamp down flange to the bottom of the distributor gear as a 351 distributor? I run an external oil pump so the hex drive broach doesn't matter in my situation.

If true that would mean I could use the Explorer 5.0 cam sensor at a whopping $39.00. Wouldn't work for guys running conventional oil pumps of course.

Well plan A failed today as the 351W based cam sensor distributor housing wouldn't clear the TFS A460 Tneel Ram manifold even with a simple machined aluminum cap. I'm looking at the Explorer unit again as its much shorter but it has other issues as I understand it. I'll post when we have a workable solution. Other ideas welcome.

CDMBill wrote:Well plan A failed today as the 351W based cam sensor distributor housing wouldn't clear the TFS A460 Tneel Ram manifold even with a simple machined aluminum cap. I'm looking at the Explorer unit again as its much shorter but it has other issues as I understand it. I'll post when we have a workable solution. Other ideas welcome.

I think Charlie Evans has a fix for the 351w dis. to fit the TFS A460 Tonal ram. He's a member here.

What's wrong with a late-model EEC-IV 460 distributor? I'm pretty sure I remember reading quite a few success stories w/MS...

Have you considered the FAST distributor?

Dual-Sync Billet Distributor, Ford 351C-460

Quantity in Basket: None
Code: 305015
Price: $350.15
Shipping Weight: 7.00 pounds

Both distributor ideas are good but I currently run distributor-less using a 36-1 crank wheel and sensor with two wasted psark four tower coils mounted where the distibutor used to be. Timing is managed in the software spark map. Even if I went back to a disributor the only one that fits under the a460 Tunnel Ram is the special short MSD unit made for that purpose which doesn't have the cam sensor in it.

Our work around for the moment is a small Hall efffect sensor made by Cherry Corp a GS1005, were making a little bracket that wu ill mount it off the electric water pump and it'll pick up signal form a tab were ading to the belt drive cam gear. Photos to follow when it works.

I'm still looking for a compact Cam sensor hopefully based on common Ford parts, but that will likely be after Drag Week which is our time constraint.

CDMBill wrote:Both distributor ideas are good but I currently run distributor-less using a 36-1 crank wheel and sensor with two wasted psark four tower coils mounted where the distibutor used to be. Timing is managed in the software spark map. Even if I went back to a disributor the only one that fits under the a460 Tunnel Ram is the special short MSD unit made for that purpose which doesn't have the cam sensor in it.

Our work around for the moment is a small Hall efffect sensor made by Cherry Corp a GS1005, were making a little bracket that wu ill mount it off the electric water pump and it'll pick up signal form a tab were ading to the belt drive cam gear. Photos to follow when it works.

I'm still looking for a compact Cam sensor hopefully based on common Ford parts, but that will likely be after Drag Week which is our time constraint.

"Even if I went back to a distributor the only one that fits under the A-460 tunnel ram is"............ and the answer is NO. What you can do is run the original factory 429-460 Motorcraft distributor, ( I rebuild them all the time) and one of my crab cap adapters that I make, then a Mallory 221 crab cap. It will all fit under the TFS A-460 tunnel ram. Just ask local drag racers Krisse Lawyer and George Keown who run this set-up.

The next step for the guys needing a cam sensor,,,is to machine all of the "stars", except one, off of the reluctor or star wheel as some people call it. Thus you have a cam sensor using the regular magnetic pick-up in the distributor.

Uncle Charlie

CDMBill wrote:Cam sensor for 460: Who makes one, or how to adapt or make one?

67XR7cat has made one using the 4.2L V6 one: http://www.network54.com/Forum/85220/thread/1127782151/EDIS+dist-+cam+position+sensor

CDMBill wrote:I've read a number of other posts in other places, but fabricating sleeves for a 3.8L unit is beyond my ability. Has anyone here solved this issue?

If you are talking about the 1.555" dimension versus the 1.500" dimension, it is a complete non-issue. All OEM Ford 460 distributors are 1.500" and so are some aftermarket ones (I think). The 1.555" dimension probably comes from an aftermarket distributor manufacturer who measured the distributor bore in the block instead of the distributor housing, and this was copied by others. (I suspect Steve either compared the 4.6 L to an aftermarket 460 distributor or he measured the block's bore himself.)

A properly sized o-ring centers the upper section of the 1.500" distributor body squarely in the block (along with/aligned by the shaft in the bore of the thrust boss) and so once the distributor's body is clamped down (by the distributor hold down) at its flange against the block, you'll be fine. I know a number of people that have exceeded 200 mph with the 1.500" diameter distributors.

I don't know if 67XR7cat is a member of this forum or not; if not then he may be found on 460ford.com

Paul

http://www.network54.com/Forum/85220/thread/1277675370/My+MPFI+Intake+Manifold+Conversion (Scroll down to "Holley DIS & Sequential EFI")

Thank you for the response Danny. Great work you've done there. I'm finally going to chase down the 42./3.8 can sensor unit and see what fits where using a spare block and cam. I also have an empty original 429 distributor housing and shaft assembly I used to use and a pre luber so I think I can make something between all these good ideas and parts. At the end of the day a cam sensor is a pretty simple deal. We'll see. I'll post up when its done.

Bill,

I'm a bit lost here. Do you not have the room to stick a dizzy on it? You wouldn't need the typical dist cap. You could just machine a cap to cover the reluctor/mag pickup.

Got any pics of your setup?