2.2 distributor, 7Rcase

[Scott Clarke]

Due to recent thread,I became aware that the diameters of distributors (where they are inserted in the case) is larger on 2.4 and later engines. I am building my short stroke 2.5 using components from my 2.2E, but with a 7R case. It is clear that I will need to find a late distributor. Is it possible to remove the "guts" of my E distributor and insert them in a late distributor body? Wayne's book indicates that this change of diameter is 3mm but also says that the shaft diamater is the same. I realize that I could have a late distributor modified, but it would be slick to just change the bodies and be done with it.
-Scott

[Wayne 962]

Why not just use a 2.7 distributor? These units have very good curves for 'S' cams...

-Wayne

[Scott Clarke]

Wayne-
My 2.2E distributor has no vacum advance or retard. I assume that I, at the very least, would need a means of securing the vacum advance plate of a 2.7 distributor. I am using E cams. How would the advance curve of a 2.7 unit work for this configuration?
-Scott

[Wayne 962]

I'm not sure if you can transplant the guts - I can't say I've ever tried it personally. The 1974 2.7 distributor has only a vacuum retard, so you could simply not hook it up, and it would probably work pretty well. While I don't have the curve profiles in front of me right now, I think that it would work pretty well. In general, the 2.7 distributor is a good, all-around replacement...

-Wayne

[Scott Clarke]

Well, I got a hold of the better part of a late distributor (0.231.184.001), and took it appart.
The late distributors are about 2 inches loger than the early ones. As a result, switching the entire shafts is out of the question. After comparing the weights and springs, it was clear thay these were also not interchangeable. The weights and springs are configured differently. Since the plate on which the weights mount is an integral part of the shaft, there is no easy way to use even the upper part of the shaft (the part with the cam). So, guess I need a complete distributor, and need to research advance curves in order to decide if I need to have a distributor recurved.
-Scott