I have resumed work on my 444 project. For background, I have disassembled it to the basic tub, repaired rust, refinished the bottom and floors and rebuilt the suspension and brakes. I am using rear axle, brakes, trans., radiator/hood and misc. parts from a B18 544 donor car. The engine is a B20 from a 1974 142.

Before doing the appearance body work on the 444 tub I have decided to temporarily install the engine and transmission to work out the linkages and engine compartment layout. Then I will remove it all and paint the engine compartment with the rest of the car. Some questions have come up that I would like to get your opinions about.

Which distributor? I have two complete distributors. One is aluminum with 007 in the last three numbers and no vacuum mechanism - I think it is from the B20. The other is cast iron with VJU 4 BL 33 on the ID plate. It has a vacuum mechanism - I think it is from the donor 544. It looks like either one will fit and I am wondering if there is a strong reason to use one over the other.

Ignition. My plan is to transfer the armored cable and coil from the 544, do the Ron Kwas distributor fix up and use a tune up kit from IPD to replace the points, plugs, etc. Other possibilities are the Crane or Perlux sets from IPD. Any strong opinions about these alternatives?

Manifolds. I decided to use the two SU carbs from the B18 rather than the fuel injection that was on the B20. My plan is to use the intake manifold from the 544 and exhaust manifold from the B20 (4 into 2). This seems better than the manifold from the 544 (4 into 1). In the trunk of the 544 there was another manifold - it is cast iron, combines intake and exhaust, seems to be for SU carbs and the exhaust is 4 into 2. It looks to me as though it is designed to have the exhaust heat the intake. Is there any reason that I should consider using that setup?

Crankcase Vent. (I seem to remember seeing this covered on the forum but can't find it now that I need it.) The B20 has a breather box on the side like the 544 but with a bigger hole in the block but the same size hose outlet. The cap on the B20 valve cover is just like the B18 one - it has provision for a breather hose. There is a fitting for a hose on the B18 intake manifold. I need to learn how they all ago together. (These parts were missing from the B18 and I didn't take whatever was on the B20/142.) Can someone direct me to this discussion or tell me how it goes?

Thanks for your help,

Keith
Moline, IL









I would like to pass by the group here to keep from going too far astray.