Got an 8BA? You need our e-FIRE distributor
So you have a Ford 8BA flathead motor and you’re considering Stromberg 97s or 81s. Should be easy right? There are plenty of aluminum intakes available for two or three 97s, with the breather/oil filler at the front. And that Ford Loadomatic distributor has a vacuum canister on the side. So we can just order up a 9510A-VP Stromberg with the vacuum port, connect it to the distributor and we’re good to go right? …….Well, sadly not.
Here’s the thing. A stock 8BA (and its derivatives) Loadomatic is not your average distributor. It has no centrifugal advance whatsoever, so relies on vacuum only to pull the breaker plate and advance the ignition timing. On a stock engine, that vacuum signal is supplied by specially designed Ford carburetors. Basically, they take vacuum from two points – one high up at the venturi pinch point and the other down near the throttle plate. Both passages join together to exit at a big threaded port on the back of the carb base.
The Stromberg 97-VP carb provides what we call ‘ported vacuum’, taken only from just above the throttle plate. This is great for what we now regard as ‘typical’ vac-advance distributors, but not for the Loadomatic. Which brings us to the e-FIRE 8BA distributor which needs no vacuum advance at all, so works great with the Stromberg carbs you wanted all along, right?
Here’s the advertisement….. FROM STROMBERG for your 1949-53 flathead Ford – the e-FIRE 8BA distributor available for 6v positive or 12v negative ground. With electronic ignition, traditional looks, easy installation and simple set-up. Like every e-FIRE distributor, it looks like it belongs on your traditional flathead motor; with a black cap and an old-school performance tag. It has electronic ignition – no points, no condenser, no black (or red) box and easy maintenance. Just higher efficiency, economy and accurate spark timing.
The e-FIRE 8BA fits all the various Ford 8BA front covers and clamps to the cylinder head with a stock adjustment flange. It comes with the drive gear ready-fitted and there are just two wires. The advance rate (and max total advance) is tuned specifically to suit the flathead V8 engine. And just like every other Stromberg e-FIRE distributor, it’s machine tested at the factory and delivered ready to run right out of the box.
NOTE: Your new e-FIRE distributor must be used with a points style coil only. Stromberg recommends a 1.5 Ohm coil with no ballast resister. Do not use a low-resistance (less than 1.5 Ohms) or HEI-style coil.
