Hey guys, I want to replace my original points distributor with and electric one, any suggestions on what one i should buy at a reasonable price. Thanks

 

The MSD ready to run distributor for Olds works for me.

 

A Pertonix conversion of your existing distributor is certainly a viable option. They are easy to install and work very well. Another option is a +1975 Olds HEI. It will require a modification to your air cleaner or a spacer underneath it. These distributors are getting pretty old too. If it is just a weekend or daily driver, I would go with Pertronix.

 

I went with a Pertronix and burnt not one, but TWO of them up and to this day, ill never know why.. I went with an Accell electronic conversion and it works great..for a couple bucks more why wouldnt you go with an HEI?

 

I have a Pertonix in my boat and it has worked well for 8-10 years. I installed them in my friends 50, 54 and 68 Oldsmobiles and they work great. That has been my experience with them. I think most other people on here have had good luck with them. Reasons to use one rather than a HEI would be easy installation, no need to buy new plug wires, the look of stock if that is inportant, no modification to the air cleaner. Certainly the Accel is a good product also. I used one of their coils with the Pertronix on my boat. They make great stuff.

 

You can buy a brand new HEI complete from summit for 150 bucks.

 

Americal autowire has a neat little module ("breakerless SE") that replaces the points and fits in he original disty. It is similar to the Pertronix, but is even easier to install - it uses the same single wire as the points. Totally stock looking outside. On their webite it costs about 150 but Rockauto sells them for 121 (under ignition, points conversion kit). I am going to try this when i start work on the engine.
And as a fail safe escape, i will store the points and condenser inthe trunk and if any problems on the road, just pop the points back in!

 

X2, I couldn't agree more. I've had good luck too.
Dave

 

I am running one of these also. Adjustable vacume. This is the 3rd one that I have used, and am very happy with the unit. It's not a cheapy like on ebay!

 

What all do you have to do to install the $150 distributor from summit? From what i can tell you have to run power and ground is this right and if so how simple is it? Thanks

 

My advice, from owning the piece of crap distributor from Summit is DO NOT buy it. In 3 months, coil went bad. After a year, the posts for the springs gave way and one of them bent in, causing total timing to come in at 1400 rpm. This is a piece of junk made in China. The MSD distributor has tig welded posts and all of its components are not made overseas. It may cost more, but the only way to spend more money than buying the most expensive item once is to pay for the cheapest items 4 times.

 

I also bought the Summit distributor. It works well. I've never had any problems with it and I broke-in my engine about a year ago.

If you aren't going to get an OEM HEI distributor or the Summit distributor then buy a Mallory Uni-Lite (especially if you have the money). It is even better than an HEI distributor.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-4763401/

 

I got Pertronix lobe sensing points on mine, made a huge difference in performance. Real easy to install too.

 

I bought a used Mallory Uni-Lite and have loved it ever since. But at the same time I bought a Billet MSD distributor off craigslist dirt cheap and have been waiting to use it. Now I have the programable MSD 6AL-2 box so hopefully that will be going on soon.

 

I'm a cheap SOB. I just use $15 junkyard HEI bodies, install new module (and if needed, coil) and run with it. Advance kits are cheap if you need them. Replacement parts are available anywhere if you break down.

 

The only thing to be ware of is that some of the after market intake manifolds will not fit clearance issues with the huge housing on the hei dizzies.

 

OEM HEI from a later model, use a mallory/MSD/Pertronix HEI upgrade kit for it.

Again as mentioned, it will not fit with the OEM aircleaner housing.

 

I just looked at a '72 Cutlass with HEI and the air cleaner had a clearance indentation for the HEI distributor, the water neck/radiator hose, and another one that may be to clear the cruise control linkage if the car has it? The snorkel faced the driver's side. I don't know if it was Olds or what GM division but it fit and looked stock.

 

I think the only intake manifold that has this problem is the old Edelbrock O4B.

 

Wont work with the L69 intake.