Distributor Housing

[Rob M.]

Is there any difference in the cast iron housing used in TI and point type distributors? I have a TI distributor (491 last 3 digits of PN) and the lower bearing is bad. Can I replace the housing (transferring all the TI parts) with one from a non-TI distributor? It goes into a 65 BB if that matters.
Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Distributor Housing

Rob-----

While there are some minor differences between the tach drive housings, most that I know of are interchangeable. This includes interchangeability between points-type and FI. The exceptions are as follows:

1) housings for dual point units with no provisions for vacuum control;

2) housings for ball-bearing type units with TI and no provisions for vacuum control (these are SERVICE-only distributors; never used in PRODUCTION and are fairly rare);

3) housings without "full round" annular oil groove at lower end of distributor.