Distributor Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 530
Likes: 11
From: Lewes, Delaware
Distributor Question
Thought I would pick a brains. I see for example in Summit Racing distributors for a 1980 L-48 range from 80 bucks for the Summit all the way up past 300 for other brands. If I replaced mine (my engine is stock) and would remain basically stock in a rebuild, would it benefit to but the more expensive distributor? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If your distributor is worn, then any change will benefit you. You already should have HEI, and that's good for most engines. You could spend big bucks and get a really high performance one, but your application won't care. And you won't feel any difference.
A standard HEI has bushings on the shaft and the performance ones usually have ball bearings. Other stuff too, like high output coils, better quality materials. One thing to remember- if you go to a hot coil, then you need to upgrade plug wires too.
A standard HEI has bushings on the shaft and the performance ones usually have ball bearings. Other stuff too, like high output coils, better quality materials. One thing to remember- if you go to a hot coil, then you need to upgrade plug wires too.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
For a stock to mild motor the HEI is a great distributer. If it needs a rebuild then do it with a better coil. No performance gain is going to happen with a stock motor by going to a more costly distributer.
