I'm installing the kit from speedway motors to put 3x2 9 super 7 carbs on my motor. There is nowhere to connect my distributor to, what are my options?

Ask these guys

http://www.stromberg-97.com/carburetion/stromberg97ported_vacuum.asp

They may be able to help.

From Speedway Motors catalog:
5.There are no provisions for a vacuum advance line. Ford & Mercury engines 1949-1953 using stock distributors will need an alternative place to connect the vacuum line.

The real Stromburg folks just spent a mint to get the carb back into production, that one does have ported vacuum. So, why would they want to give tech advice to a clone?

I also found this: "The ported vacuum 97 base is also available separately if you already have a suitable Stromberg 97. See part No. 9514-VP, under Service & Restoration parts." Factory price is $149.


R.

Because they had info online on how to add ported vacuum to a 97 before they started making them that way.

or you could just tap in to the intake manifold and run manifold vacuum.

Not without issues.

Yep, I just did that in my truck to get more timing at idle. So far it's working great.

You need to make sure that the vacuum advance kicks in below whatever vacuum you have idling in gear (if automatic), and make sure that your total timing is good.

I can go into more detail if there's interest.

OK, so what am I missing here? If you have all the vacuum advance "in" at an idle, when the motor's vacuum is at its highest point, when you step on the throttle, and the vacuum drops, won't you get a decrease in the ignition timing at a point the timing should be advancing?

A ported vacuum has little vacuum at idle, and as the throttle opens, the vacuum increases, which causes the vacuum advance to advance the ignition timing, as it was intended to do.

Have things changed since I was in auto classes in the early 70s? Gene

Without making this too complicated, the only real difference between ported and manifold vacuum is at idle - and you know what that is. When you mash on the throttle, all vacuum pretty much goes away and you are just running on the mechanical advance built in to the distributor. At cruise, you have about the same vacuum advance ( ported or manifold ) added to the mechanical advance. Your engine is under minimal load at cruise and the additional advance of both mechanical and vacuum will make best fuel mileage. Total for both at cruise should be in the 50 degree range ( about 35 for mechanical and 15 for vacuum ). These are "approximate" #'s. Altitude, DA, and many other engine factors come in to play here.

Ok so I drilled out one of the plugs above the idle mixture screws and put a fitting in with some JB weld. It works perfect.