Crank trigger question

I have a couple of crank trigger setups for a BBF. I also have enough stuff accumulated here to build a decent 532 iron head pump gas engine that was originally destined for my truck. Here is the question. Can you run a crank trigger deal with a vacuum advance distributor ?? I know ford used trigger setups on some of thier older 80's police car windsors but for the life of me can't remember if they had a vacuum advance setup on the distributor. I have everything here, it is all paid for, if I can use it I'll keep it and if not I'll put it on the auction block. Planning on thining down some of my spare parts that I will probably never need 2 or 3 extras, yet save enough stuff to complete the 532 and upgrade the 557 also.

Thanks
Travis

Travis,
You can make a crank trigger distributor out of just about any distributor that you wish.
Just take it apart and weld the mechanical advance mechanism solid, and put it back together without any of the pickup coil, breaker plate or anything else inside. You just need a housing, shaft and a place to stick the rotor. You could leave the vacuum advance diaphragm housing on there to fill the hole and fool your buddies. If you take it off, you will need to make a little square piece to locate the cap (or cap adapter) since the vacuum advance has the cap locator lug, built-in.
Your advance curve, if any, will be determined by the ignition box or timing control computer that you choose.
The MSD timing computers work nicely, for a reasonable price. They feature a start retard and a built-in timing advance curve.
I hope this helps.
Thanks,
Keith
www.KeithFulpMotorsports.com

i just bought a 351 crank trigger dizzy that all i have to do is change the gear to a BBF bronze gear and im done something that no one willing to share on here just so you know

No secret, it's been posted on here before http://www.429-460.com/engine-tech-f2/will-a-351w-distributor-work-in-a-bbf-t4423.htm?highlight=351+distributor

just use the 2 wires from your crank trigger instead of your pick-up coil in the dist. Disconnect the vacuum hose to keep the breaker plate held in one position. Mech. adv will work as usual or spot weld to disable it. Use what ever ign. module or box you want, most should be able to use the signal from your crank trigger with no problem

didnt know until couple days ago - thanks saves me alot of trouble

Ok, let me rephrase this. Can any sort of avdance system be used in conjuction with a crank trigger ?? Being this is my pump gas streetable engine, I would assume that it would need to work to put a curve in the timing so that it would be friendly with pump gas. (Mechanical or Vacuum for that matter)

Travis, the great thing about a crank trigger is stable timing that doesnt fluctuate. The digital boxes would allow you to ramp timing in and out at different rpm's. Or, I think the 7531 might even allow more timing adjustments as it is not legal due to being able to add slew rates to the timing.
The trigger would not work well without locking down the dizzy on the distributor. In fact it may be disastrous

TravisRice wrote:Ok, let me rephrase this. Can any sort of avdance system be used in conjuction with a crank trigger ?? Being this is my pump gas streetable engine, I would assume that it would need to work to put a curve in the timing so that it would be friendly with pump gas. (Mechanical or Vacuum for that matter)

Travis,
Since the "triggering" is taking place from the fixed crank trigger pickup, the only advance system will be inside your ignition control box.
Any mechanical or vacuum advance in the distributor will only effect rotor phasing, having no impact on timing curve.
The programmable ignition systems let you tailor the curve to your specific needs.
Keith

as stated using the crank as the trigger the timing will be fixed................no advance or retard. The dizzy must be modded as such the rotor is fixed to the shaft so it cant move.

If you could find a way to move the pick-up while running then it could be done; vaccuum would be pretty easy but, RPM mechanically controlled advance would be a real invention.

TWO pick-ups with a switch are used in crank triggers all the time for starting the engine with the least advanced pickup.

Travis do you have an extra complete trigger wheel set-up you wanna sell?

138 wrote:Travis do you have an extra complete trigger wheel set-up you wanna sell?

And one for me too?

i would sell mine but im sure i modified it to fit a jet fighter jet engine and it wouldnt work for you guys