1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 08:58 AM

Hello good people, so I’m swapping engines currently and I figured I should also change my distributor, I’d like to upgrade to an HEI. Any tips I should be aware of? Brands? Thanks in advance.

Engine: 350 5.7L v8

Shinysideup · 10-20-2018, 09:00 AM

There are many out there but my advise is buy name brand not the cheap knock-off versions for longevity. Whats your engine setup/intentions?

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

There are many out there but my advise is buy name brand not the cheap knock-off versions for longevity. Whats your engine setup/intentions?

Yeah I definitely want to get something decent. So the new engine is a 350 class 1 crate rated at 305hp, edelbrock 1406 carb over 2701 intake manifold.

geezer#99 · 10-20-2018, 09:12 AM

Is the intended 350 a one or two piece rear main seal?

crabman · 10-20-2018, 09:23 AM

Look at Skip White Performance in TN. They have billet HEI for a very good price. I bought one for my 69 C10 396 and was amazed at the quality and price. Works like a champ too. 65K volt coil and brass terminals in cap and rotor, all while being machined billet.

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Is the intended 350 a one or two piece rear main seal?

Man, you got me there. What’s the difference?

68 P.O.S. · 10-20-2018, 10:51 AM

No, don't even bother with Skip White. You get what you pay for with that cheap crap. You definitely want a HEI and one with an adjustable vacuum advance. What's your budget for it?

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabman

Look at Skip White Performance in TN. They have billet HEI for a very good price. I bought one for my 69 C10 396 and was amazed at the quality and price. Works like a champ too. 65K volt coil and brass terminals in cap and rotor, all while being machined billet.

Man $50!? That may be tough to beat.

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

No, don't even bother with Skip White. You get what you pay for with that cheap crap. You definitely want a HEI and one with an adjustable vacuum advance. What's your budget for it?

Yeah, $50 is suspiciously cheap in comparison to what I’ve seen. I’d like to stay under $150, but I’m open to suggestions.

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 11:09 AM

Any thoughts on this one? Seems like a good value.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850001-1

**Boog** · 10-20-2018, 11:21 AM

Check your local parts store or Summit or Jegs for whats available. You should be able to buy a GM hei for $125 or so and be able to buy parts most anywhere when needed. Hard to beat.
I bought one of those skip whites for $50 a few years ago for a fresh 350. Its pretty alright. The engine ran in the shop only as the truck is not road ready yet and the module went bad with only some hours run time on it. I pulled the
module from the old OE hei and put in the SW. It still hasn’t made it to the road but it still starts every time.

hjewell2 · 10-20-2018, 11:24 AM

Not going to preach, but ya get what ya pay for.. stay away from MSD crap.

Shinysideup · 10-20-2018, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auroch

Any thoughts on this one? Seems like a good value.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850001-1

Thats no name junk.
Im using this style https://www.summitracing.com/parts/d...make/chevrolet
Check your appication.

68 P.O.S. · 10-20-2018, 11:39 AM

I haven't used the Summit one you linked, but have heard decent things. I've had good luck with the Accel 59107 and it's in your price range. It has the correct weights & centerplate you need and it has an adjustable vac advance. You can never go wrong with MSD as they're the leader in ignition systems, but they're pricey.

68 P.O.S. · 10-20-2018, 11:44 AM

When you convert over to HEI make sure you replace the resisted power wire. You need a full 12 volts to it. It's an easy conversion and there's several threads on it.

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

Thats no name junk.
Im using this style https://www.summitracing.com/parts/d...make/chevrolet
Check your appication.

A little pricey, any significant advantages?

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

When you convert over to HEI make sure you replace the resisted power wire. You need a full 12 volts to it. It's an easy conversion and there's several threads on it.

Good to know, thanks man.

68 P.O.S. · 10-20-2018, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auroch

A little pricey, any significant advantages?

Not if your using it for daily driving. It's overkill

hjewell2 · 10-20-2018, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

Thats no name junk.
Im using this style https://www.summitracing.com/parts/d...make/chevrolet
Check your appication.

those are the best but thinking he is not using for performance.

geezer#99 · 10-20-2018, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auroch

Man, you got me there. What’s the difference?

The drive gear on the distributor.
Usually the one piece has a roller cam which needs a melonized gear.

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjewell2

those are the best but thinking he is not using for performance.

Right, I’m going more for reliability.

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 12:27 PM

Im thinking this might be it.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8362

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 01:00 PM

Im thinking this might be it.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8362

Auroch · 10-20-2018, 01:02 PM

Any thoughts on this one? Seems like a good value.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850001-1

geezer#99 · 10-20-2018, 01:14 PM

If you had every one of those distributors torn down to reveal specs and part numbers you’d likely find they were all the same.
I read a test years ago between the Msd and skip white and they were exactly the same except the Msd was 300 at the time and the skip white was 40 bucks.
You want the best and don’t sweat the price then get one here.

http://performancedistributors.com/

Do you have a spec sheet on your 350?

10-20-2018, 08:58 AM	#1
Auroch Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: GA Posts: 151	1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations Hello good people, so I’m swapping engines currently and I figured I should also change my distributor, I’d like to upgrade to an HEI. Any tips I should be aware of? Brands? Thanks in advance. Engine: 350 5.7L v8

10-20-2018, 09:12 AM	#4
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,712	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations Is the intended 350 a one or two piece rear main seal?

10-20-2018, 09:23 AM	#5
crabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Blairsville, GA Posts: 28	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations Look at Skip White Performance in TN. They have billet HEI for a very good price. I bought one for my 69 C10 396 and was amazed at the quality and price. Works like a champ too. 65K volt coil and brass terminals in cap and rotor, all while being machined billet. __________________ 1969 CST/10 396

10-20-2018, 10:51 AM	#7
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,662	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations No, don't even bother with Skip White. You get what you pay for with that cheap crap. You definitely want a HEI and one with an adjustable vacuum advance. What's your budget for it? __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

10-20-2018, 11:09 AM	#10
Auroch Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: GA Posts: 151	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations Any thoughts on this one? Seems like a good value. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850001-1

10-20-2018, 11:21 AM	#11
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,452	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations Check your local parts store or Summit or Jegs for whats available. You should be able to buy a GM hei for $125 or so and be able to buy parts most anywhere when needed. Hard to beat. I bought one of those skip whites for $50 a few years ago for a fresh 350. Its pretty alright. The engine ran in the shop only as the truck is not road ready yet and the module went bad with only some hours run time on it. I pulled the module from the old OE hei and put in the SW. It still hasn’t made it to the road but it still starts every time. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

10-20-2018, 11:24 AM	#12
hjewell2 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: mich Posts: 655	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations Not going to preach, but ya get what ya pay for.. stay away from MSD crap.

10-20-2018, 11:39 AM	#14
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,662	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations I haven't used the Summit one you linked, but have heard decent things. I've had good luck with the Accel 59107 and it's in your price range. It has the correct weights & centerplate you need and it has an adjustable vac advance. You can never go wrong with MSD as they're the leader in ignition systems, but they're pricey. __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

10-20-2018, 11:44 AM	#15
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,662	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations When you convert over to HEI make sure you replace the resisted power wire. You need a full 12 volts to it. It's an easy conversion and there's several threads on it. __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

10-20-2018, 12:27 PM	#22
Auroch Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: GA Posts: 151	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations Im thinking this might be it. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8362

10-20-2018, 01:00 PM	#23
Auroch Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: GA Posts: 151	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations Im thinking this might be it. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8362

10-20-2018, 01:02 PM	#24
Auroch Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: GA Posts: 151	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations Any thoughts on this one? Seems like a good value. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850001-1

10-20-2018, 01:14 PM	#25
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,712	Re: 1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations If you had every one of those distributors torn down to reveal specs and part numbers you’d likely find they were all the same. I read a test years ago between the Msd and skip white and they were exactly the same except the Msd was 300 at the time and the skip white was 40 bucks. You want the best and don’t sweat the price then get one here. http://performancedistributors.com/ Do you have a spec sheet on your 350?



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