1985 350 HEI dist. replacement

[Zach079xxx]

I'm most likely going to keep the old one just to have it.

Originally Posted by hatzie

It failed from old age. Not the fault of the guy turning the distributor. They guy assembling it to the engine should've given the distributor a once-over to look for this crap. If he replaced the module there's no excuse for not noticing the frayed pigtail.

The age of the metal parts are not the problem. They can be cleaned, greased as needed and, re-installed. You can even put shaft bushings in the base in the unlikely event they are needed.

The re-build parts are probably more than the $99 he paid for the MSD.
$20 Module Pigtail with capacitor (the damaged wiring)
$15 4 terminal AC Delco HEI module
$10 Standard Motor Products DR318X Blue Streak Brass Terminal Rotor
$10 Moroso 26140 Distributor gear shim kit (measure end play before you buy)
Rebuild the base for around $45-$55

$45 If the pickup coil is damaged (very unlikely)

$15 advance weight kit
$25 ACCEL 31035 HEI Adjustable Vacuum Advance Canisters
Re-curve the advance for $40

$15 Standard Motor Products DR450X Blue Streak Brass Terminal HEI cap & rotor
$40 1985473 AC Delco HEI Ignition coil
Assembled premium cap & coil $55

Re-build ready to drop in with premium parts... $100 - $175 depending on how many parts you replace.

2-3 hours to clean and re-assemble.

I'd be tempted to re-build the distributor base and keep it as a spare.
The replacement pigtails are usually molded over the wires inside the cap.

[Zach079xxx]

Look how my day was! I was making a run to the scrapyard to toss an old microwave and cans, literally 500 feet from making it and it shuts off. I coast and pull over and try to restart it cranks but no fire. Oh, you could imagine how livid I was. I'm not a man that cusses but I had a few running through my head at that point. 45 bucks to tow it to Larry to be worked on Monday. That other garage won't even have the chance to LOOK at my truck anymore. Tempted to return the MSD if they'll allow me to and repair my old dizzy knowing now what it is that's wrong. Atleast the man towing knows what brand to go with! That brightened my day

[Zach079xxx]

Well I wanted to finish the thread up in case someone was wondering or for future reference what happened. As you know, it failed on me and it was towed to Larry the man who built my engine, and he dug into it. Clearly the timing was off, which he fixed. And the way the other garage wired it up was incorrect. Their wiring came loose and that's the reason for me being stranded. The distributor is running great again and the overall truck runs like new. Well, I learned a lot on this "quest" lol I recommend the street fire dizzy to anyone, it burns hotter and I can tell a difference.