1988coreym

Going to convert my 67 330 olds to electronic ignition. Cost is not much of a factor. Also I want to change the dist. anyhow because it is on the engine stand with oil pan and pump off to fix rear main seal. So what is the best option for a conversion?

joe_padavano

Why do you want to change the distributor? A conversion kit inside your stock distributor is the easiest way to go. A stock HEI from a later Olds is the next option, however you might have air cleaner clearance issues.

Keep in mind that despite the magazine articles (where they are trying to push the products sold by their advertisers), an electronic ignition system will not provide any performance difference over a points ignition that is properly maintained. People who claim a big difference are typically comparing badly pitted points and an old cap and rotor with brand new parts in the electronic distributor.

I've converted most of my cars only because I'm lazy.

1988coreym

Just thought i would change it while I was changing everything else. Mostly cause it's 50 yrs old. And I have it on the stand. I am dropping this in an 86 Regal. Someday

joe_padavano

I resemble that remark!

Seriously, the biggest concern with the original distributor would be wear in the bushings. You can replace the bushings and fix that problem.

1988coreym

Not looking for performance upgrade just ease of use. Lots of options out there just trying to figure out the best one. Looked at Pertronix but have heard good and bad. Some problems with Tach ? Summit has a stand alone unit but doesn't really have a brand name ? Maybe Accel? I currently don't have a coil for the 330. Also if I have to pull the dist. to shim the Pertronix shouldn't I just replace it ?

oldcutlass

Although most have trouble free service with Pertronix, personally I'd choose points. For the amount of miles you are probably driving a year you will have to change once every 3 years or so. Reliability of points is better over electronics any day. Points only takes 30 minutes to change and 10 to periodically check and adjust. You can change a lot of points and condensers for what the Pertronix costs. As with any ignition system, make sure you use good quality parts.

76olds

I'm in Canada, but I will throw this out ther if interested.
I have an HEI out of my 1976 Olds 350. Has accel coil (acc-140005), Summit cap/rotor (Sum-G5237) Morosso curve kit set-up for mild 350
All parts have about 300 miles on them ready to run
I swapped my Distributor out for the DUI unit so I won't be needing the original one.

Eric

redoldsman

Eric you know I will argue about points being more reliable than electronics. Points get pitted and have to be replaced or filed (I still have a point file) and re-gapped. I think one of the biggest problems with points is being able to fund a decent set that is not made in China.

Olds64

I have a Summit HEI in my 71 Olds 98 with a 455 and while it works ok I've actually been thinking of changing back to a points distributor and possibly adding a Pertronix kit for reliability and easy starting. I really think I can dial in my timing better by going back the OE distributor.

This coming from the guy that buys parts from a catalog because Summit and Jegs say so.