just wondering what your thoughts were on them. any experience?
Ill need a new one for my 455 and have a very small budget.
Also, anything needed to be changed for going to HEI?

 

As with just about anything, you get what you pay for. Chinesium is really cheap and is a gamble. Unobtainium is very pricey but usually lasts a lifetime..

http://www.robbmcperformance.com/

This place USED to have good HEI distributors. Not looking like they carry them anymore. May want to inquire just in case.

John

 

I purchased a Summit HEI distributor. It was about $140 and works great. You can get a stock HEI distributor cheaper from your local parts store. Plus, they usually come with a warranty.

 

A friend of mine has a machine shop that builds a lot of low-budget SBC and SBF engines for dirt-trackers, for a while he was selling Proform and other cheapie HEI distributors. He had so many distributor failures (including a brand new one on the dyno) that he quit selling the low-end products. Apparently they have really "loose" tolerances and poor modules.

In my own experience, I used one of the $100 Ebay generic HEI units in a low-buck 455. The ignition module failed and left me stranded with less than 2 hours run time. After I put a Delco module in it worked fine, but now I carry a spare module in the glove box of both of my HEI equipped cars.

 

I would stick to name brands. For me I bought a Mallory Uni-lite off craigslist with an MSD coild and wires for like a $100 or so. One of the best things I ever did. ANd in the same week I got a brand new MSD Billet distributor for $175. There are deals out there. I think there is another Olds Mallory distributor on craigslist now for like $150. I just don't need another one.

 

I would get one from Summit or you could also get a rebuilt NAPA unit. Both should be good reliable choices.

 

Have you guys ever thought of maybe the local parts house????? I've found in most cases they have all the parts available if not next day for most of my needs!!

You'll have to advance your timing some.

 

I would stay away from the cheap ones. I bought a new Procomp HEI off of E-Bay and it was a huge POS. It didn't even have a sealed module. It was on open circuit board and the bearings felt "funky" new. I never even installed it. A rebuilt stock HEI is not a bad way to go. I have the stock one from my '75 350. I replaced the vacuum advance can and lubed the mechanical advance springs when I swapped it in the car and it works great. The only real downside to them is they don't have much rpm capability, but neither does my stock engine. MSD and Mallory are good but also more $

 

Can someone define "cheapie distributor." I spent over $100 on my Summit distributor and felt it was a decent price (not "cheap" by any means). However, I wouldn't spend $300 on an MSD or Mallory distributor.

So far, I am happy with my Summit distributor. Failing modules in an HEI distributor is just a part of running an HEI distributor. Of course, I would be pretty hot if the module failed right after starting the car.

 

The choice of distributor again depends on your goals. I went with a full MSD unit with the control box and couldn't be happier with the performance, of course I build my 455 for street/strip use with hi-compression pistons. Cat rods, roller cam, rockers, etc. and wanted all I could get. Just my 2 cents.

 

I'm happy with my points thankyou!!!!!!!!

 

Petronix ...

I used one step light on springs and weights with my stock distributor ...

15% initial timing ...

9,000 miles and 20 passes so-far ...

they had a black coil and it looks stock ...

 

You can always get a used stock HEI distributor in good shape. I got one for $25 and it worked fine.

 

If you want to keep a stock look then you should consider a Pertronix kit as Mugzilla suggested. I had one on my 64 98. They work great! IMHO, there is no comparison between points and HEI or variable reluctance ignition (Pertronix).

 

Plus your timing changes with a point set ...

I bought another brand and took it out and put the petronix in ...

The new flamethrowers with matching coil are my choice ...

 

The good thing about Pertronix is that their products are priced decently as well.

 

old post but how bad would it be to get one of them an put your new modulator an coil in it ? (flame thrower parts )

 

In what? Modulator? I'm confused.

 

sorry, If i would buy an ebay hei distributor an replace the coil an the modulator,I mean from what i reading that is the only 2 things wrong with it that fail.

 

The term is "Module", not modulator

 

If your going to go through the expense of replacing the coil and module, why not buy a pertronics, gm, or any brand name HEI. Both MSD and Accel also sell an inexpensive replacement HEI.

 

ty

I have all the parts all ready. I just would like to start out with a clean base {:

 

Well in that case, you can do that, or find a good stock core.

 

if you want a NOS core ask Bill in this thread.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...s-non-ccc.html

I bought one from him and it was exactly as pictured.

 

I usually buy rebuilt units from NAPA. That way I have new bushings. Then I install a Pertronixs unit. That gives me nothings more than a "new" points distributor, but it will continue to perform like brand new points for years. I have one that has been running nearly 20 years. The key is to follow the instructions and take the time to measure clearances and make the adjustments like the instructions say. It's really pretty simple.

 

Space Modulator of course! Sheesh!

Marvin the Martian