[vitamin c]

Anybody know what the factory used for the super duty distributor base gasket?

[Aluminum Chief]

#545930

I have been looking for them, good luck.

[Scott Stoneburg]

Whats different from a standard distributor gasket? The dist. fits the same bore in the block?

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Scott Stoneburg

Whats different from a standard distributor gasket? The dist. fits the same bore in the block?

The ‘73-‘74 455 SD (and the ‘69 RAV 400) uses a larger diameter distributor drive gear than standard engines therefore the distributor base and the bore in the block are larger, a standard distributor gasket won’t work.

One could get their hands on a couple of different diameter pieces of steel tubing and make them into gasket cutting tools by sharpening the ends and buy some gasket material to make their own gaskets.

[steve25]

Gasket paper, a good sharp xacto knife and 5 minute of time and you have one made!
I have a compass that I made a sharp tip for and this is what I use to make gaskets that need to be round like this.
It scribes out two nice circles that I then complete cutting out with the Xacto knife.

You might find a good oil resistant .060" O ring that will be close to a drop in.

Don't be one of those folks who spend 6 hours on line when for 15 bucks and 5 minutes you can make it yourself!

[Formulas]

Did they ever come in complete gasket kits?
The kind that covered all Pontiac V8 from 1955 up..

[Scott Stoneburg]

Good times. I did not realize those blocks had a larger dist. bore in the block.

[Aluminum Chief]

It`s no mystery you can make a gasket yourself, some people like correct factory parts no matter what it may be. It`s called personal preference.

[vitamin c]

I did make a paper gasket, but didn't have a sharp enough or the correct tool to make a perfect circle. With the sleeve on the distributor the actual gasket turns out to be very small and fragile if that makes sense. I'm currently using an o-ring and it works ok, but makes accurate timing a bit of a job. The timing changes tightening down the distributor clamp as it compresses the o-ring by about 2-3 degree's. Not a killer, but undesirable.

[Scott Stoneburg]

So if you had one of these blocks does anyone make an aftermarket distributor to fit? Are these blocks stronger than a "normal" non SD or ram air block? Or just number matching deal? I assume they are thicker in the webbing

[vitamin c]

Any distributor will fit as long as you have the sleeve and roll pin to slide over the distributor. (and the correct diameter gear if your still running the factory cam)
yes the SD block is different in several ways.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by steve25

Gasket paper, a good sharp xacto knife and 5 minute of time and you have one made!
!

^^^This

I like correct parts as much as the next guy, but worrying about a correct distributor gasket is a bit extreme. No one sees it.....ever.

I had one recently tear during a cam swap. I didn't have a spare on the wall, so I made one out of gasket paper in about 60 seconds and cost me nothing. Trying to run to the store or even mail ordering a simple distributor gasket and waiting days proves to be a useless proposition around here and a lot of time wasted. I've had the same sheet of gasket paper in the shop for 30 years just for occasions like this.

[vitamin c]

Its not the "correct" i'm after, or someone seeing it. its more of the correct function. Yea I can make one, but its just paper thin and hard to get just right. There is not much mating surface left after the sleeve is installed on the distributor.

[Scott Stoneburg]

Originally Posted by vitamin c

Any distributor will fit as long as you have the sleeve and roll pin to slide over the distributor. (and the correct diameter gear if your still running the factory cam)
yes the SD block is different in several ways.

Maybe I misread what was posted. But didnt someone say the distributor hole / bore in the block is larger on these blocks? If so then a distributor for a standard block would be loose in the hole. Or did I misunderstand ?

[vitamin c]

yes, correct, larger hole in the block.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Scott Stoneburg

Maybe I misread what was posted. But didnt someone say the distributor hole / bore in the block is larger on these blocks? If so then a distributor for a standard block would be loose in the hole. Or did I misunderstand ?

You can use a standard distributor along with a spacer sleeve to match up with the larger bore in the block.

Of course the you must use a standard camshaft so the distributor gears will match up.

[Scott Stoneburg]

Ok. Thank for the info. I wasnt aware.

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

SO, lay the gasket paper on the block, tap the inner circumference of the dizzy hole with a ball peen hammer till thru paper.
Once you tap the inner hole thru an appropriate gasket paper, slip the dizzy thru and trace the OD of the dizzy body with a pen.
Cut the od with good scissors or shears.

You MAY find another engine dizzy gasket that will work... our in house dizzy expert... SUN TUNED, can likely tell you what engine has a similar size if you don't want to make your own.

IIRC a FE 352-428 Ford is rather large.

I make gaskets often at work for old equipment, don't even both to try and source them, can't be down that long.

[sdbob]

The block is definitely heavier not sure exact weight difference. When I bought gaskets I ordered individual part nos from Pontiac dealer in mid 70s.

[tom s]

I never ran a gasket on my Vs.Tom