Distributor questions

[Special]

I have few questions about distributor.
1. Why some engines have cam driven distributors and some auxiliary shaft driven distributors ?
2. Is that a difference between those distributors , or you can install any distributor on ether location ?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both locations ?
4. Can I install auxiliary shaft driven distributor with 40 IDF set up on the waffle manifold ?
Thanx in advance , guys.

[So Cal Mark]

the early cars with a flat hood had the dist mounted on the block. IMHO, that is a better place to drive the distributor from. It's away from the exhaust and there is less spark scatter from cam and belt flex. I don't think the stock dist will clear a waffle manifold though. Our dis system fits, but you have to install it before mounting the intake manifold.

[Special]

Thank you Mark.
I wish I could afford your ignition system.

[Special]

Well , I just found this picture


It has an IDFs and and distributor on the same side.
The only manifold I found similar to the one on the picture is an ABARTH like this


So with this manifold distributor fits without any modifications , or something still has to be done to make it fit ?




.

[azruss]

the 2 dizzies are not interchangable. The later style is much easier to service since it isnt buried. I want to think my 1438 had a waffle manifold and the dizzy could be yanked without pulling the manifold. Been a long time since i messed with a 1438 but my fuzzy memory remembers pulling the dizzy and setting the points off the car. I think it has a simple spline drive rather than the screw type spline of the newer style.

[Special]

Thank you !!!

[BEEK]

the reason fiat moved the distributor to the exhaust cam is for the provision of the "waffle manifold". then it just stuck.
personally if i was going for the ultimate ignition system, i would use a crank fire system, where you can program the advance where you want it. and for racing purposes you are at the max advance all the time anyway. except when moving thru the pits. secondly i agree with mark, for the street, i would put the distributor in the block mount position, mainly to get it out of the exhaust heat.