C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Distributor question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 22, 2022 | 02:05 PM
  #1  
J J N's Avatar
J J N
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Summerfield Fl
Default Distributor question

I have a 69 350 300 hp auto. I am thinking of switching the current distributor which has been converted to electronic by a previous owner, to a new HEI. Summit racing has one, tach drive at a reasonable price. I know probably made in China. But I am having problems with the current one breaking down when hot. Will the HEI fit and clear the windshield washer pump ?
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2022 | 03:05 PM
  #2  
hdeyong's Avatar
hdeyong
Racer
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 336
Likes: 173
From: Canadian living in southern France
Default

I put in a new Summit HEI distributor a year ago, and it works perfectly. You can adjust the vacuum advance, and it looks to be good quality.
Anyway, the car runs great.
It even has a clear cap so you can watch the rotor go round and round. Cool!
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2022 | 08:27 PM
  #3  
leigh1322's Avatar
leigh1322
Old Pro Solo Guy
Supporting Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,016
Likes: 4,371
From: Marlton NJ
Default

Running bad when hot could easily be a bad electronic module, or a weak coil. Not too much else. That's a Low $ fix.
Low buck HEI distribs are not an improvement.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 10:52 AM
  #4  
Jebbysan's Avatar
Jebbysan
Dr. Detroit
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,095
Likes: 4,022
From: New Braunfels Texas
Default

Convert it back to points and set it up Lars style......learn to set timing and dwell.....
The stock stuff works better than you can imagine and I would put it back stock before I stabbed in a China HEI......
E-Mail Lars for his timing and distributor papers.....he is a huge advocate of points systems.....
The only real advantage on the street is being able to leave the key on......without burning the contacts.....

Jebby
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 10:58 AM
  #5  
Glassgoat's Avatar
Glassgoat
Instructor
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 157
Likes: 89
From: Los Angeles
Default

In anything I build I always try to run stock HEI gm setup with a curve kit using the middle spring set. Other than that the msd billet distributor was great.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 11:47 AM
  #6  
stingr69's Avatar
stingr69
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,458
Likes: 1,484
From: Little Rock AR
Default

If you need to service it you could easily go back to points. Cheap and easy to install. Get a NOS set of points and set the gap to .019" then drive away. If you really want to, you could buy a dwell meter and set them but it isn't really a requirement.

Why make it harder than it is? Those import HEI's can be a crap shoot with reliability these days.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 07:34 PM
  #7  
loup68's Avatar
loup68
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Default

The best tach drive HEI's are made by DUI. I have had one for many years. Made in America! Lou.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 07:57 PM
  #8  
Driving69's Avatar
Driving69
Racer
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 304
Likes: 333
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by loup68
The best tach drive HEI's are made by DUI.
The previous owner installed a DUI unit and having the car now ten years, it has been trouble free. I did remove the cheesy "Danger High Voltage" sticker off of the cap though
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 27, 2022 | 07:25 PM
  #9  
flyeri's Avatar
flyeri
Drifting
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
Default

Originally Posted by Driving69
The previous owner installed a DUI unit and having the car now ten years, it has been trouble free. I did remove the cheesy "Danger High Voltage" sticker off of the cap though
I did too. Much better money spent than the MSD.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2022 | 07:43 PM
  #10  
blue427's Avatar
blue427
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 152
Default

Going back to points is a good idea but we don't know if the previous owner of the vette eliminated the resistance wire from the harness,if he did the points will burn out in about 40 miles unless he can find someone to sell him that wire.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2022 | 07:55 PM
  #11  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Default

buy a ballast resistor.
Amazon Amazon
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2022 | 02:20 AM
  #12  
Majoho's Avatar
Majoho
Racer
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 296
Likes: 16
From: Edmonton Alberta
Default

Originally Posted by Jebbysan
Convert it back to points and set it up Lars style......learn to set timing and dwell.....
The stock stuff works better than you can imagine and I would put it back stock before I stabbed in a China HEI......
E-Mail Lars for his timing and distributor papers.....he is a huge advocate of points systems.....
The only real advantage on the street is being able to leave the key on......without burning the contacts.....

Jebby
I agree, I had Lars rebuild and recurve my distributor a few years ago. I installed it and set it up per his recommendations and my car runs like never before. Like Lars says, there's nothing wrong with a good points and condenser system. And really not that much maintenance required.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2022 | 04:57 PM
  #13  
wilcar's Avatar
wilcar
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
Default

Originally Posted by stingr69
If you need to service it you could easily go back to points. Cheap and easy to install. Get a NOS set of points and set the gap to .019" then drive away. If you really want to, you could buy a dwell meter and set them but it isn't really a requirement.

Why make it harder than it is? Those import HEI's can be a crap shoot with reliability these days.
Agree 100%. With all the junk Chinese parts
flooding the car parts market its no wonder these electrical parts will leave you stranded. I had problems with hei modules and coils even back in the 70s that left me stranded. I run points distributors in my Carbed 84 C4 and my 470" Pontiac powered 65 Gto with no problems.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Distributor question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:30 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE