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I've been watching ebay lately. looking to pick up a spare distributor to rebuild and send to Lars to be set up. I know the chevy small block distributors will work with all the motors (?). I,m just wondering if the band with the numbers on the lower part of the distributor just is for the weight and spring set up, or is there actually a physical difference besides that. I currently have a 1111024 in my car now.
The springs, weights, mainshaft, cam were different from one distributor part number to another, all depending on the motor & tranny configuration and the advance curve that was designed into that particular part # distributor.
The numbered band would tell you what distributor you have and you can look up what the factory specs were on that unit but after 40 or more years who knows how many times someone, including Bubba, may have been inside and changed things around.
As for finding a unit on eBay, you should be able to pick up just about any Chevy SB points distributor and Lars can set it up on his Sun distributor machine for the best curve for your motor. He can set up just about any advance curve you need by setting the size of the advance slot, the stop pin bushing, and the correct springs and weights.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Originally Posted by cramus
is there actually a physical difference besides that. I currently have a 1111024 in my car now. Thanks Craig
Craig -
All Chevy (both SB and BB) distributors will interchange (except 409) - there is no real physical difference. You can run any tach drive unit in your Vette. The advance curves from one distributor to another are remarkably different - there are differences in the length of the curve, the shape of the curve, and how "aggressive" the curve is. But any distributor can be set up with a curve tailored to the application, so the numbers are irrelevant if you're looking for a spare to set up for your car.
Lars
I have to agree with the above information. It DOES NOT matter which tach drive dist you get (62-74 for point type versions with tach drive). The IMPORTANT issue is that you get a GOOD core with a mainshaft that doesn't have the tach gear all chewed up (although, replacement shafts are available)!!!
Once you have a good, rebuildable core, as already mentioned, it can be curved to suit your specific engine/needs.
I have never had one of my distributors professionally setup (such as by Lars), and I have had a chance to buy a Sun dist machine and just keep procrastinating to buy it. I do have a Craftsman dial back timing light which allows me to get a reasonably good curve for my cars.