Correct 1958 Distributor

[Christopher L.]

I have a non-original 1958 that has a 1964 283cu block (Casting #GM 3834810) (Block Stamp Pad T0107JD) that I believe came with the heads installed. The '64 block correlates to engines placed in '64 Chevelle's, hydraulic lifters, engine originated from Tonawanda Plant, Jan 7, 1964. The intake manifold (GM 3739653) is rated for 245 HP. The two double four barrel carbs are correct for 1958 and also rate for 245 HP although the crankcase vent tube connects to base of rear carburetor (not consistent with 1958). The tach is the base tach 0-6000 rpm with revolution counter consistent with RPO 469 245HP. The tach drive cable, appears to be original, is run from the tach gear on the generator. The distributor with vacuum canister is a Delco Remy with tag#1111015 4E4 which correlates to those used in 1964 Chevelle's. There has never been a vacuum line on the canister and no vacuum line on either of the carburetors that I can see.
Situation: In restoring the top of the engine with correct ignition shielding I cannot bolt the rt hand coil/ignition shield bracket to engine because the vacuum canister is in the way.
Questions: The NCRS Tech Manual states that 1958 245 HP utilized a centrifugal advance (this would eliminate the vacuum canister problem with the coil/shileding). Corvette Central sells the 1958 distributor #1110891. Replacing the distributor with the centrifugal type is an option but I don't know if it is incompatible with the '64 cam. In 1958 was the vacuum canister positioned in such a way that it didn't interfere with the coil/ignition shielding? Suggestions? Major issues? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[Tom B.]

Re: Correct 1958 Distributor

The dual 4 bbl engines, rather 245 or 270 horse, used the 891 dual point distributor. This is a centrifugal advance only distributor with no vac advance canister to interfere with timing adjustments.
There just isn't room for one behind the rear carb and allow adjustments. The hyd cam in the '64 engine is nearly identical to the 245 cam which was the same as the base motor 230 horse. You will not have any problem running the correct distributor with the '64 283 cam and the 245 carb set as that was the way it was designed.

Tom

[John H.]

Re: Correct 1958 Distributor

Situation: In restoring the top of the engine with correct ignition shielding I cannot bolt the rt hand coil/ignition shield bracket to engine because the vacuum canister is in the way.
Questions: The NCRS Tech Manual states that 1958 245 HP utilized a centrifugal advance (this would eliminate the vacuum canister problem with the coil/shileding). Corvette Central sells the 1958 distributor #1110891. Replacing the distributor with the centrifugal type is an option but I don't know if it is incompatible with the '64 cam. In 1958 was the vacuum canister positioned in such a way that it didn't interfere with the coil/ignition shielding? Suggestions? Major issues? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Chris -

As Tom noted, in production, all 2x4's used the 891 centrifugal-only distributor. You can go that route, or you can use the vacuum-advance distributor you have by simply re-orienting it so the vacuum can faces the driver's side and using a Paragon vacuum fitting on the rear of the rear carburetor base for the vacuum source. See the photo below (from Dave Zuberer) and a second photo from another similar installation. The cam is not an issue - it'll work just fine as is.DistOrientation2x4VacDaveZ.jpgDistOrientVacAdvAC.jpg

[Christopher L.]

Re: Correct 1958 Distributor

Thanks Tom and John, I will look into re-orienting the distributor/vacuum can. From the photos it appears that on my engine the crankcase vent tube is utilizing the port where the Paragon vac fitting would be installed. An easy fix to re-establish the correct routing for the crankcase vent tube and put in place the vac port fitting. Thanks for your assistance.

Chris

[Tom B.]

Re: Correct 1958 Distributor

Good information from John as always. You can get a reproduction road draft tube form Paragon, Zip and others.

Tom