51 M rescue - distributor timing

[chhanes]

I know that this 51 M has the Fire crater "power pack". Dad added this approximately 1961. He also at some point changed over to the vertical Delco distributor as he had a mounted corn picker and a loader. Vertical was easier to access. So presumably, the Delco would be restricted to 22 degrees advance - just not sure. The existing Delco is toast from sitting out. These vertical Delco distributors (and parts) are near impossible to source online and I am 2600 miles from any salvage yard local to the M. I am leaning toward just going back to the horizontal IH which is more available. At any rate, I will either keep the Fire Crater or install M&W or equivalent Power Seal stepped pistons so I will be needing a 22 degree advance. Pete 23 has talked about altering the hole in the 40 degree plate. I would maybe attempt to sleeve the boss on the cam sleeve instead. However, would it be just as well to get the 450 distributor 362473R91 - which has 25 degree advance?

 

[wore out]

What is actually wrong with the Delco distributor?

The basic distributor itself was used on other brands of tractors and automobiles, as well, so there's some additional areas to look for needed parts.

 

[chhanes]

the cam sleeve is corroded to the point of disintegration. You cannot buy that cam sleeve. I have looked online till I'm blue. I actually found a distributor on YT, but it is being held up since the rebuilder says the unit he has lacks the proper end gear. I know the actual Delco 1111411 had a different gear than the 1111411 supplied by IH, so presumably IH replaced the original gear with something else. I thought the original Delco 1111411 had a helical gear and I'm not sure if the IH just had a more coarse helical, or if it had straight teeth like the horizontal 32 tooth. Does anybody know what the IH version has on the end for an end gear?

 

[fastfarmall]

I got a Delco 1111411 on mine too, i got a new sleeve kit for it, but havent got into that yet, But i have got the live hyd pump, so i need it for room, But like wore out says what wrong with a horizontal IHC distributor, they should be available almost anywhere!

 

[chhanes]

For context, this is the current vertical Delco 1111411

 

[D Slater]

You can use the 450 distributor. Also be surprised at how many are on a M and SM already changed over. 300 and 350 and some others
have 22 degree advance. Originally springs would be different between some of those distributors. But not all springs are available
now.