Cattiva73

my 1973 is having the engine rebuilt and I want to replace the distributor...any suggestions?..something reliable but not too expensive..if even possible?
engine: Chevy 402.

Mike Ward

Keep what you've got.

Cattiva73

Really? ..I think needs a rebuild.
...why?

keithinspace

I love my MSD stuff.

Folks will say that a well-adjusted points setup will run just as well. I don't disagree one bit.

The big benefit I was going for was having the spark occur over a greater range of engine rotation (Multiple Spark Discharge) and help burn off some of the unburned fuel that can get so stinky at idle. I just installed a ~290 duration cam in my car and I can say that it burns VERY cleanly at idle.

Pretty bulletproof stuff.

If you go with the 'simple' HEI dizzy with the 'box' built into the cap and use a 'simple' inductive coil, you could probably keep the costs down.

I have the billet tach drive unit with external 6AL box and capacitive coil with all their SuperConductor wires. The entire setup was ~$1,000. I really, really like it.

qwank

stock HEI

pauldana

Mallory, made in the USA!!!

Mike Ward

Aftermarket stuff might be all shiny and blingy but it doesn't beat OEM stuff for performance and reliability.

jersey68l36

If he is still around, I would give Robert Davis a call at 901-412-4414 and mail him out your stock dist. He'll fix what wrong and do a recurve. He's in Memphis TN.

redvetracr

send it to Lars....

Cavu2u

Don't you dare part with that original distributor! I didn't have that option when I bought my project '73. PO probably sold it for a few C-notes.

Paul L

I always keep spares on hand (all refurbished) in case I need them for the next 10 years. But all is well with the very old unit installed. In fact it is a distrib from my former 1967 re-done some years ago with a Lars re-curve kit. (Numbers be d***ned; it is just an aluminum tag. It works in my 1974.) He doesn't do those anymore I believe.

I do have a kit in the rear compartment as well but points/condensor do not suffer sudden failures. I just drive and enjoy without fear of micro-circuits burning out. A sadistic pleasure I suppose.

MIKE80

Here's what I'm using.

MSD 6AL Ignition Control
MSD Blaster Coil
MSD Pro Billet Distributor
MSD Red Super Conductor 8.5mm Wires
ACDelco Professional Platinum Spark Plugs

Jeff_Keryk

I dunno, I kinda like the stock stuff.
I took all the MSD stuff off and run original points distributor and the original coil.
I think my brother rebuilt it once; I think he just wanted my $$...

68/70Vette

I was thinking about buying a Summit HEI distributor with tach drive for my 70. It's advertised as being "blue printed" whatever that means. It's pretty close to $300 so it's not a $99 eBay special. Is it worth it?

It'll be going in a 496/502 BB. Probably about 10:1 compression. Does this appear to be a good dissy?