So my distributor bolt must have been loose because i was driving and the engine just stopped. I get out and the distributor is halfway spun around. Luckily the brand new tach cable I just put on was holding it from just spinning in circles lol. So tach cable shot. and the gears for the tach drive are shot but the distribuor seems fine. I was going to put the electronic conversion in there anyway so I just bought a new blueprint electronic distributor with vacuum advance and manual tach cable and coil, along with the proper spark plug wires. Any guides on installing something like this including how to find either TDC or BDC which ever i should stab the distrbutor in at?

Also any idea what I should do with the old distributor? Its fine except needs a rebuild for that drive. Looks like part number 1111293

 

Fortunately the distributor rotor is still in the correct phase (unless you have already removed the distributor) so all you need to do is roll the engine over until the rotor is pointing at the 6 o'clock position if you imagine looking straight down at the rotor and calling 12 o'clock at the rear of the distributor pointing straight back. Turn the crank a bit further and you should see the timing mark on the balancer when the rotor reaches the 7 o'clock position. That's TDC. You should then remove the distributor noting where it points as you pull it out. It will rotate just a bit as it comes out due to the helical gear. Put the new distributor back in in the same position and it should drop the final 1/4 inch or so to engage the oil pump drive. If not get it close to the 7 o'clock position and put the retainer on the distributor with just about finger tightness or a tiny bit more on the holdown bolt and bump the starter until the distributor drops down that final 1/4 inch and roll the engine over again until the rotor points to 7 o'clock and the timing mark should be close to TDC. If you completely get lost then the most reliable way to get TDC is to remove the driver side valve cover and roll the engine until the number 1 intake opens and closes then continue cranking until the timing mark comes to TDC and you are again ready to point the rotor at 7 o'clock.

If it were me I would have the old distributor rebuilt and put standard points and condenser back in. The originals worked well and were good for about 10K miles between points replacement and almost never fail.

 

like a bonehead i pulled out the distrbutor of course.

 

A couple of references from others:
https://camaros.org/library.shtml You have a few to pick from.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...885d1421671771
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...sb-and-bb.html
Also your Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual will guide you.

 

I would probably also just rebuild the original. If you do install the replacement, you need to determine exactly what the vacuum advance does and when it does it. You also need to know what the mechanical advance is set up for.

Larry

 

If the original distributor is GM #1111293, it is worth some $$$ to those needing an original. I would post it on the forum for sale if you use the aftermarket distributor. I don't know a fair market price.

 

thanks for all the replies.

 

I agree with the above, rebuild what you have. Consider replacing your tach cable with one made by Deluxe Speedometer and Cable in Denver, CO. Their stuff is all made in this country. Jerry

 

Thats where I just bought the tach cable that got destroyed from. Already have another on the way.

I want to switch to electronic ignition. Car is not original anyway

 

Make sure the distributor gear will work with your cam....... Flat tappet cams and Roller cams take different materials in the gear makeup

 

How can I tell what type cam this has? its not the original motor but is of the era.

 

Does it have roller tappets or flat tappets...... I am guessing its a flat tappet cam from the " era ' as you said.....

 

how can I tell?

 

Check the gear on the distributor you removed.. If the top of the gear is " not machined" it should be Iron, flat tappet.....

 

this is what was in there.

 

Iron gear, flat tappet... I did not mean to open a can of worms here, better safe than sorry

 

Appreciated the one I got says melanized steel so I assume thats fine?

 

Then, simply, keep you original distributor and add the Breakerless SE ignition module...easy peasy...don't overthink this one

 

you can use the melanized gear on any cam.

Not likely to be an issue with your car.

 

I agree with Leif, install a Breakerless SE and you will be happy, very easy to do .