456M

I have an early sixties Ferrari; it now has a late model 456M 65-degree V12 engine six down draft Weber's etc
I plan on adapting a Jaguar V12 distributor coming off the back of the right-hand cam shaft
Actually, i already made up this configuration with and early V12 points distributor not knowing that the 456M fires 6 cylinders at 65 degrees and 6 cylinders at 55 only to find out that only some of the cylinders fired Durrrr
Now the Jag fires at 60 degrees as does a Lamborghini has anyone out there any suggestions how I can make this Jag dist work I may have to design a new cam/reluctor and somehow build a new cap or modify the Jag one. Two six-cylinder distributors will not work either they are out of phase
This is an odd firing V12

 

It appears you need to go with two 6-cylinder distributors. This would allow you to compensate for the different timing of each bank.

 

Here is what I came up with after carefully rotating engine with a degree wheel attach to crank and noting each and every cylinder at TDC
At then end of day I found that 6 of the cylinders are at 65 degrees and 6 are at 55 degrees
Example a 60 degree V12 you take 360 degrees divided by 60 and you get 6 hence the point distributor I have has a 6 lobe cam with two sets of points in other words on a complete rotation of distributor both sets of points open and close 12 times
The Jag distributor I also have is a magnetic with a 12 point reluctor/cam
Hear is my theory 360 divided by 65 equals 5.54 and 360 divided by 55 equals 6.55 now does one need a special reluctor/cam made and along with a distributor cap with off set terminals
I feel the two x 6 cylinder distributors will not work no different than my Jag one

 

Here is what I came up with after carefully rotating engine with a degree wheel attach to crank and noting each and every cylinder at TDC
At then end of day I found that 6 of the cylinders are at 65 degrees and 6 are at 55 degrees
Example a 60 degree V12 you take 360 degrees divided by 60 and you get 6 hence the point distributor I have has a 6 lobe cam with two sets of points in other words on a complete rotation of distributor both sets of points open and close 12 times
The Jag distributor I also have is a magnetic with a 12 point reluctor/cam
Hear is my theory 360 divided by 65 equals 5.54 and 360 divided by 55 equals 6.55 now does one need a special reluctor/cam made and along with a distributor cap with off set terminals
I feel the two x 6 cylinder distributors will not work no different than my Jag one

 

You stated that a 12 cylinder distributor won’t work. That being the case, the only other option is to try to make two 6 cylinder distributors work. If that is not possible for your application, then you have to use the original ECM and coils that were on the engine. Not exactly a vintage look.

 

Would love to see pictures of this project.

A Coil on Plug setup could be another alternative. We have a few threads on the conversion on the 456/550 forum. I made my harness with an homage to the 365gtc/Espada look having exposed wires routed held by round clamps
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login