This question as most probaly come up before. I am looking to replace my distributor (original with Pertronix III HEI wired) just wondering what different (non Chinese) brands have to offer and what personal experiences have been. It's a 68 442 4 speed with HEI wired. Any experiences shared will be appreciated.

 

I will be surprised if there are any non Chinese manufactured ones. I hope I am wrong.

 

Just so you know, Pertronix is not HEI. HEI is a GM distributor system whereas Pertronix is an aftermarket transistor switch replacement for breaker points.

Anyway, my experience with a 1970 Cutlass Supreme 350-4bbl engine was absolutely no difference in performance between an original points distributor and a GM HEI distributor. Both were set up with high quality parts and were tuned at the full service gas station using the diagnostic tune-up equipment where I worked back in the 80s.

Bottom line is if you have quality parts that are installed correctly, tuned properly, and working as designed, you will not see any difference between one and the other.

 

While I don't know which Pertronix distributor the OP has, they DO sell coil-in-cap HEI distributors.

https://pertronix.com/pertronix-d110...black-cap.html

 

I installed a Pertronix kit in my 64 98 with a 394. It was a good upgrade. Aftermarket parts for the 394 are hard to come by.

I also installed HEI on my 71 98. At first I bought a Summit HEI unit. It lasted about 5 years and then it bit the dust (just like the Jegs alternator I installed). Rather than buy another HEI distributor from Summit or Jegs I bought an OE HEI distributor from the auto parts store with a lifetime warranty. It's worked flawlessly. Ultimately, I recommend HEI over the Pertonix kit. You can buy replacement parts for HEI distributors from the auto parts store. Pertronix is the only supplier of replacement parts for their Ignitor kits. BTW, I suggest you keep a spare HEI module in your glovebox once you do the swap. As others said they are drop forged Chinesium and they like to fail.

 

IMO-

I would go with DUI (Davis Unified Ignition) if you prefer a particular advance rate & curve.

I would call your attention to Mallory 75 series if you want adjustability & flexibility. These have not been made for a while but might be found NIB sitting on someone’s shelf.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ations-139592/

 

Just to be clear it's a 455 with stock distributor with a Pertronix III inside of it and the HEI wire installed in place of the stock wire. Stock distributor is old and original. Some of the replacement have an internal coil, is it a better set up?

 

Old and original does not equate to bad. Your not going to get any noticeable performance improvement by changing, so if its not broke don't fix it. Your pertronix III is the latest and greatest for points replacement modules.