Distributor sizes?

[wattssf]

I curious whether a "RB" distributor will fit in a "B" engine. If so or not, why and how. Im welcome to all advise. Thanks.

[dwc43]

It wont fit. The B cist. is shorter than the Rb.

[zij576ca]

I've heard of the existance of a spacer (don't know who sells it) that allows the use of the RB distributor with a low block engine. But why bother; just get the correct low block distributor and use it. And the reason the RB distributor won't fit (without the spacer) is that the RB block deck height is higher in order to accomodate the RB's longer stroke.

[dwc43]

Mopar Performance used to sell them, but I don't think they are available anymore. Besides, they cost as much as a used dist.

[wattssf]

Thanks fellows! Is there anything you guys dont know? You guys are awesome. Maybe one day Ill have enough knowledge to share on to the younger generation. Thanks again, and Merry Christmas!

[dwc43]

Originally Posted by wattssf

Thanks fellows! Is there anything you guys dont know? You guys are awesome. Maybe one day Ill have enough knowledge to share on to the younger generation. Thanks again, and Merry Christmas!

Welcome,anytime.

[pishta]

Made one. It was a .25 spacer after all the work. I made this one to fit an old Vertex on my 400 block. I think the mag was for a 426 since I bought it with a bunch of hemi parts. The mag would fit inside the spacer and was locked down with the set screws, then the entire thing was held in by the original distributor hold down bracket. Took me about 2 hours to make, but I hadnt used a lathe in 20 years.

[warlockpowerwagon]

I agree with what you guys are saying. But for anyone who wants to know exactly why the RB distributor won't fit the B block, it is because the distributor shaft that drives the oil pump etc is too long. You can swap these distributors by changing that distributor shaft. Another note of interest to me was the fact that all internal pieces will interchange as well. 6 years ago I swapped electronic ignition into my 440 from a 383 points distributor. It started as a curiosity venture as my 440 distributor bushings were trash. I swapped in the 383 distributor and then got the brainstorm to swap it over to electronic ignition. I used a 77 Monaco 400 magnetic pickup and plate and ECU. (It probably would have been simpler to swap in the shaft, but hey) Everything was bolt on. No grinding or tweaking. I was still running that exact set up until this past summer when my bushings started to become junk, so this time I installed a new distributor. But it is still interesting to know that it can be done. ( I am having issues with the new distributor but....)

[waldo67]

the spacer is a good idea for those who have spent the green ona good distributor for an rb but the want to run it in an b its just a money saving idea and if you can save a couple of bucks here and there then that is more to put else where