JLMICCA

I consult the various gurus who lurk here. I have a '63 restomod with the drivetrain built by the previous owner. It is a 350 pirated from a '72 Z28, 11.1 CR, gear timing drive, Comp Cams 284 Xtreme cam, aluminum heads (190 intake, 64 cc, 2.02 intake, 1.60 exhaust) and roller rockers and a Weiland X-CELerator single plane intake. The current ignition setup is a Mallory electronic distributor #3864501H. While this distributor does have the mechanical tach drive, it does not have a vacuum advance and has a pre-installed mechanical advance curve or 24 degrees in by 3,000-3,200 rpm. I would like to add vacuum advance and was looking at the MSD Ready to Run model which does have a mechanical tach drive with a vacuum advance (up to 10 degrees with 15 mmHg vacuum). My question is, given my nonstock components, and suggestions on a timing curve? Also, I am intrigued by the MSD E-Curve distributors but do not know if they have one with a mechanical tach drive. I will update this post after a call to their tech line. Anyone out there familiar with these or have used them? Thanks!

66BlkBB

Just where did you find an MSD Ready to Run distributor for a Chev SBC or BB that has a tach drive??? I went to their website and was not able to locate anything like that.

JLMICCA

You are probably correct on that one. I was going through the Summit Catalog online and thought the application came up there. I will call MSD this morning and find out from them (tech line is not open yet). If not, the solution would be their Pro-Billet distributor (with tach drive) plus a 6A or 6 AL box (would not be too bad if mounted under the dash). There is also a Mallory 57-series magnetic breakerless distributor with a mechanical tach drive that is available but is pricey and I am not as familiar with Mallory products. Finally, if I still had my original tach drive distributor I would probably just rebuild it and add a Pertronix Ignitor III.

66BlkBB

I know other guys have used the Pro Billet unit for the Corvette with the box. I didn't like that arrangement so I am simply running the points and condensor setup. May have to go to some type of electronic unit like the the Pertronix. The only Mallory unit that I have had anything to do with was a electronic unit. Someone burned out the module and when I went to try to replace it the unit cost almost as much as the distributor. It is simply sitting in storage now. No other use for it.

66jack

I have an MSD tach drive in my car...MSD #8572/blaster II coil and it fits under the Shielding/6A ignition box.






jack

JLMICCA

Jack,

Great looking ride you have there. Thanks for sharing about the MSD and 6A box setup you have. I was looking under my hood and couldn't think of a place for the box...creative solution you have.
To 66 Blk BBlk, I spoke with MSD tech today and not only did they confirm that they have no mechanical tach drive in either the ready to run series or the E-Curve series but that they had no plans to produce these in the near to distant future. I can understand the tooling costs for a relatively small market but am sorry to report that fact. Too bad, I believe there is a market here.

That leaves me with Mallory replacement distributors. My current setup is a 38 series, 3864501H to be precise, which has no provision for a vacuum advance. I see three Mallory choices: 4264511 $315.95 at Summit, 5764501 $419.95 at Summit, and 7564501 $434.95 at Summit. The first two have vacuum and mechanical advance, electronic trigger mechanism and bearings better than stock. The last (7564501) is in the HEI style which I would have to make sure would clear my firewall.

Anyone out there running any of these distributors or an HEI in you mid year?

Five Window

I have an HEI from Summit with tach drive. Put the MSD "Ultimate HEI" kit on it. Ran strong on the dyno right to 6400 rpm when I told the dyno operator "Enough!!"

JLMICCA

Five WIndow,

I'm assuming that is an HEI with mechanical tach drive? Were there any fitment issues? Do you have a pic you can post? I came across the following on ebay:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1967-...#ht_2823wt_941, alsohttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-GM-Corvette-tachdrive-Distributor-v8-tach-drive-hei-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQfitsZModelQ3aCorvette QQhashZitem27b33f3edaQQitemZ170510991066 QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAcce ssories#ht_4034wt_1167

66BlkBB

Wouldn't you almost be better with this setup????? Cost is a little heavy but would work better and I think you could get a different style cap to go under the ignition shielding.





Distributor, Corvette V8, Tach Drive w/Vacuum Advance (8572) $400.00 (but you don't need the external coil with this one.)


Corvette owners can now replace their worn out Magna-Pulse distributors with this precision Pro-Billet Tach Drive Distributor. Advantages such as an accurate magnetic pick-up, oversized shaft, vacuum advance and a billet aluminum housing are just a few of the MSD advantages. Inside the billet housing, a sealed ball bearing and long sintered bushing guide a 0.500” steel shaft for high rpm accuracy. A special reluctor is mounted to this shaft and is responsible for triggering the magnetic pick-up. An adjustable mechanical advance assembly allows you to get the most performance out of your Vette’s engine by custom tailoring a timing curve to fit your application. The tach drive assembly is compact to clear the firewall and linkage. It can be repositioned easily to fit different applications plus has a grease fitting for lubrication.


Here's another option off of Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Barel...Q5fAccessories

Donald #31176

The easiest solution would be to get a 63-74 GM tach drive distributor core. You could have the ignition curve optimized, install a proper VAC system and use whatever trigger device (HD points, Petronix or M&H electronic module) Everything would fit and line up . Cost wise you could do it for less than $200.

66BlkBB

Jack,

Why did you use the blaster coil or 6A ignition box on this? MSD says you don't need anything but the original coil for firing this unit.

JLMICCA

Donald, I like the idea of a '63-74 GM tach drive distributor with a Pertronix III but the cores I've found on ebay are very expensive (with number matching ID bands, etc). Do you know of a vendor?

GCD1962

This is the best deal. Have one in my '62 works great

http://all-ignition.com/dragon-fire-race-series.html

INMYBLOOD

I have all MSD in my car. Distributor, 6a, wires, coil. The distributor is very well made and easy to tune. There are bushings to adjust total throw or total amount of mechanical timing. I believe I have the softest springs for mechanical advance and have my total cut back some because I run a few more degrees initial.

Donald #31176

Do not be concerned whether its number matching unit. All GM 63-74 tach drive distributors are basically the same.
The main concern is the condition of the lower bushing , main shaft and that the unit have a provision for a VAC.If the bushing and main shaft do not not need servicing the cost can be rather cheap. I have been able to obtain cores for about $80 on Ebay. Customizing the ignition curve is inexpensive and would have to be done in most cases anyway. The last unit I did using Hd points,new Accel cap & rotor, new VAC and having the unit recurved with parts ran $165 total + shipping. If you insist on using an electronic trigger it would cost about $100 more.