What distributor should i buy? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**BOSS** · 11-10-2003, 10:40 PM

I put the new motor in a couple of weeks ago and had the carb looked at today,and the guy said have a bad distributor.So i amd asking for your advice on what would be the best buy?Not really after power but it wouldnt be bad to have............Thanx guys

walker · 11-10-2003, 10:44 PM

I went with a mallory HEI unit. Painless wiring, accurate, big bright sparkies! It was about $150. Plus add in new wires.

lukecp · 11-10-2003, 10:47 PM

I would go with a junkyard HEI....they can usually be found for $30 or less anywhere. Add a new cap and rotor and you are usually good to go

72moneypit · 11-10-2003, 10:48 PM

You can get pretty good deals on non computer controlled HEI units from the salvage yard. I got one a couple months ago for $60 bucks (already pulled). IMO, HEI is absolutely worth the investment... especially if you have to replace your distributor anyway.

**BOSS** · 11-10-2003, 10:52 PM

i have a old hei out of a blazer but was maybe thinking new since everything else is new on the truck

*Randy70C-10* · 11-10-2003, 10:55 PM

Stock HEI's are the best. Your old one should be fine. The only thing that goes bad in them is the module.

**BOSS** · 11-10-2003, 11:03 PM

the guy said that he tought the shaft might be wore

*Randy70C-10* · 11-10-2003, 11:05 PM

Is it loose? You can tell if they are worn out or not.

Alexis · 11-10-2003, 11:12 PM

you can get a nice rebuilt one on ebay for less then 100 bucks. I got one and it was polished also. I payed about 90 all together.

ChevLoRay · 11-10-2003, 11:28 PM

I bought an Accel for my truck, when the "junkyard" HEI tanked on me at an intersection (another story).

Anyway, it was remanufactured, and cost about $100, with a warranty. Truck runs great! Way better than the old HEI.

Denny · 11-11-2003, 12:28 AM

I would buy a MSD, my truck starts on half a turn

72 CustomCamper · 11-11-2003, 02:49 AM

Forget an HEI. Go with a Mallory Unilite...

Chuck

*redbowtie* · 11-11-2003, 03:22 AM

If you have any type of a performance motor stay away from stock HEI's, they go away at about 4600 rpm's.

I had one of these in a race motor, and it dyno'd at 10 hp more than a stock HEI....

http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmssdui.htm

Alexis · 11-11-2003, 04:24 AM

redbowtie is onto something about the range of power provided by the HEI. Also a HEI builds up enegry as the rpms go up so you don't get a constant feed of power from the beginning, but you could always tap in a MSD 6A to solve that problem.

70short · 11-11-2003, 04:37 AM

Summit brand cheap works great.

tom hand · 11-11-2003, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy70C-10
Stock HEI's are the best. Your old one should be fine. The only thing that goes bad in them is the module.

On a used one be sure to check the shaft bushings they can be toast....And I have never seen a used one with very many miles that didn't need some work on the mechanical advance...if the PO used cheapie offbrand rotor caps the advance mechanism will be rust colored and completely toast because the coil fires thru the rotor

**MikeB** · 11-11-2003, 05:03 PM

I would stay away from the imported stuff, like Proform. Even the new Mallory HEI is made in Tawain or China! Most ignition guys, like Dr. Jacobs, say a stock GM HEI distributor, coil, and module are hard to beat for everyday driving. A inexpensive step up from stock is an Accel Blueprint distributor. These are GM cores with new bushings, cap, and module, and come with adjustable vacuum advance and extra sets of springs. All you have to add is an internal coil. I've had one since 94, but it now has MSD cap, coil, and module. Accel also makes a pre-74 points distributor in the Blueprint line.

**Bernie** · 11-11-2003, 09:17 PM

I went with a Mallory Unilite. I've had bad luck with rebuilt parts. New is not that much more and is more likely to work as it should.

cdowns · 11-11-2003, 09:48 PM

this is what i'll be using on my hotrod

11-10-2003, 10:40 PM	#1
BOSS Just here to help Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Norwood,Mo Posts: 3,890	What distributor should i buy? I put the new motor in a couple of weeks ago and had the carb looked at today,and the guy said have a bad distributor.So i amd asking for your advice on what would be the best buy?Not really after power but it wouldnt be bad to have............Thanx guys __________________ Support our site Norwood Survivor

11-10-2003, 10:44 PM	#2
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	I went with a mallory HEI unit. Painless wiring, accurate, big bright sparkies! It was about $150. Plus add in new wires. __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold

11-10-2003, 10:47 PM	#3
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I would go with a junkyard HEI....they can usually be found for $30 or less anywhere. Add a new cap and rotor and you are usually good to go __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

11-10-2003, 10:48 PM	#4
72moneypit Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 125	You can get pretty good deals on non computer controlled HEI units from the salvage yard. I got one a couple months ago for $60 bucks (already pulled). IMO, HEI is absolutely worth the investment... especially if you have to replace your distributor anyway. __________________ Paul 72 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper greenaz@hotmail.com

11-10-2003, 10:52 PM	#5
BOSS Just here to help Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Norwood,Mo Posts: 3,890	i have a old hei out of a blazer but was maybe thinking new since everything else is new on the truck __________________ Support our site Norwood Survivor

11-10-2003, 10:55 PM	#6
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Stock HEI's are the best. Your old one should be fine. The only thing that goes bad in them is the module.

11-10-2003, 11:03 PM	#7
BOSS Just here to help Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Norwood,Mo Posts: 3,890	the guy said that he tought the shaft might be wore __________________ Support our site Norwood Survivor

11-10-2003, 11:05 PM	#8
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Is it loose? You can tell if they are worn out or not.

11-10-2003, 11:12 PM	#9
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,874	you can get a nice rebuilt one on ebay for less then 100 bucks. I got one and it was polished also. I payed about 90 all together.

11-10-2003, 11:28 PM	#10
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	I bought an Accel for my truck, when the "junkyard" HEI tanked on me at an intersection (another story). Anyway, it was remanufactured, and cost about $100, with a warranty. Truck runs great! Way better than the old HEI. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

11-11-2003, 12:28 AM	#11
Denny Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cedar Hill, MO Posts: 426	I would buy a MSD, my truck starts on half a turn __________________ 1969 Chevy C10. Dakota Digital Gauges, 383 Votex Engine, MSD 8361 Distributor, MSD 6A Unit, Demon Carb, Phoenix Transmission 4L80E trans, 3:73 Posi Rear End Early Classics 6 Lug Disc Brakes and Spindles All Stainless Lines

11-11-2003, 02:49 AM	#12
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Forget an HEI. Go with a Mallory Unilite... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

11-11-2003, 03:22 AM	#13
redbowtie Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 0	If you have any type of a performance motor stay away from stock HEI's, they go away at about 4600 rpm's. I had one of these in a race motor, and it dyno'd at 10 hp more than a stock HEI.... http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmssdui.htm

11-11-2003, 04:24 AM	#14
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,874	redbowtie is onto something about the range of power provided by the HEI. Also a HEI builds up enegry as the rpms go up so you don't get a constant feed of power from the beginning, but you could always tap in a MSD 6A to solve that problem.

11-11-2003, 04:37 AM	#15
70short Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise ID Posts: 609	Summit brand cheap works great. __________________ "72" Red CORVETTE 4-speed 350 "70" Chevy Short Bed early stages of resto. Edel 600 cfm carb Weiand Stealth Intake HEI shorty Headers 4/2 Drop 295 50R 15 TOYO on 10 inch wide corvette rally rims at all 4 corners. "CHEVY RULES"



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11-11-2003, 05:03 PM	#17
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,599	I would stay away from the imported stuff, like Proform. Even the new Mallory HEI is made in Tawain or China! Most ignition guys, like Dr. Jacobs, say a stock GM HEI distributor, coil, and module are hard to beat for everyday driving. A inexpensive step up from stock is an Accel Blueprint distributor. These are GM cores with new bushings, cap, and module, and come with adjustable vacuum advance and extra sets of springs. All you have to add is an internal coil. I've had one since 94, but it now has MSD cap, coil, and module. Accel also makes a pre-74 points distributor in the Blueprint line. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

11-11-2003, 09:17 PM	#18
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	I went with a Mallory Unilite. I've had bad luck with rebuilt parts. New is not that much more and is more likely to work as it should. __________________ Bernie

11-11-2003, 09:48 PM	#19
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	this is what i'll be using on my hotrod __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

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