90s vortec distributor on an older sbc???

[no1udknow]

Hey guys, I used to have a 96 tahoe and one of the things I liked about the engine was the corrected distributor cap (2468 on the left 1357 on the right) I know they make these caps for older hei distributors, but I was wondering if anyone has ever put a distributor from the late 9ps vortec motors on an sbc? They are fairly available at most junk yards and cheaper than the hei system s from summit

[Koffer]

Since I can't see any pictures pretty sure the vortec distributor will have no mech. advance so unless your running a good EFI system it won't work

[special-K]

The 95/96 Vortec distributors are plastic and prone to short lifespan. I think you're way better off with the good old HEI. It's a common upgrade to install the '97-up induction/ign on 95/96s

[hugger6933]

Yeah, all the advance [both mech and vac] were gone by the days of the vortec motor. The pcm took what would have been their job so they weren't needed.

[Bigdav160]

The only thing under the cap is a cam sensor so it's pretty useless with any application other than what it came off of.

[no1udknow]

Ahh, good point... wasn't thinking about the missing advance. Geuss ill be spending the 45$ for one of those corrected caps from summit after all

[Joe Pass]

Just a heads up on the Accel corrected cap. I just purchased one from eBay to clean up my existing installation. After trimming the new ignition wires I ran engine (sbc), and set the timing. The next day I fired it up and I had an engine misfire and backfiring so bad I couldn't get it to run at all. After a day of trouble shooting thinking I screwed something else up I reinstalled the stock cap/wires. Now my 62 fires right up with no issues, so I Googled "Accel corrected cap misfire" and found MANY people have experienced this. My buddy uses a "Crossfire brand" for 2 years with no issues and as for me, I'm staying with the stock cap because I don't like walking home....good luck

[57taskforce]

Took the words out of my mouth. My 98 has the crappy plastic corrected distributor and it has random misfires on #1 & #3 at idle. I'll change the cap and it goes away for a week or so then comes right back. I've been thru 3 cap and rotor sets,all aftermarket. Delco is going in next and if that don't fix it I may shoot holes In it! Just kidding obviously but it is pretty annoying. The cheapest Chinese hei distributors are a million times better quality than the plastic turd in my vortec 454.

[Matt Cramer]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

The only thing under the cap is a cam sensor so it's pretty useless with any application other than what it came off of.

They're also useful for converting Gen 1 smallblocks to sequential fuel injection - as long as you also add a crank trigger.

[dirtyjim]

here is an article on converting a hei to use the crab cap. the pics are no longer working but you should be able to get the idea by reading it
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/128175.html

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

Hey guys, I used to have a 96 tahoe and one of the things I liked about the engine was the corrected distributor cap (2468 on the left 1357 on the right) I know they make these caps for older hei distributors, but I was wondering if anyone has ever put a distributor from the late 9ps vortec motors on an sbc? They are fairly available at most junk yards and cheaper than the hei system s from summit

Sure you can do it but only if you have EFI/ESC because they don't have mechanical or vacuum advance and it must be done electronically. There might be an MSD box for that as well. Just use an external coil/module like the Vortec does.

I have an MEFI with a Ramjet style intake. I installed a Skip White distributor so it's new and I won't change it but if I had thought about it first I would have installed one of those cool distributors like that. However, if you install one on a flat tappet cam engine, be advised that those distributors are set up for hydraulic roller cam and have a melonized dist gear.

Hmm....wonder if I could put that cap/rotor setup on top of my billet Skit White dist that already had the internal module? Food for thought.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

The only thing under the cap is a cam sensor so it's pretty useless with any application other than what it came off of.

Yes, "cam sensor" or "hall effect switch".

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

Yes, "cam sensor" or "hall effect switch".

So, I wonder what the difference is length wise in the 2 cams. I wonder if I could take a 95+ cam, punch out the pin, install a shaft and gear from an der hei with mechanical advance, and use a rotor from the older distributor and BAM... crab cap? The only issue I ever had with my vortec distributor was that the body was plastic and I once overtivhtened the cap screws and snapped an ear. Maybe ill try an after market crab cap for an older hei

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

So, I wonder what the difference is length wise in the 2 cams. I wonder if I could take a 95+ cam, punch out the pin, install a shaft and gear from an der hei with mechanical advance, and use a rotor from the older distributor and BAM... crab cap? The only issue I ever had with my vortec distributor was that the body was plastic and I once overtivhtened the cap screws and snapped an ear. Maybe ill try an after market crab cap for an older hei

I don't thing so. The only way you can use it is to use the whole thing and use an electronic control box like this one. I don't think that would fit in with saving money but it would be a very good system. About as good as you can get.
http://www.msdignition.com/Products/...ble_6AL-2.aspx