Hei distributor swap
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
First question is usually why, followed by do you want to keep the mechanical tach in the car?
Points can work just fine
Next step is one of the pertronix type conversions where it eliminates the points but keeps the same distributor
Next would be a HEI, either the MSD corvette tach drive one ($$$) or the offshore tach-drive and replace all the guts with decent stuff
Or go HEI and swap the mechanical tach for a later model (or the conversion kit) to make it electronic
Somewhere in there is also the DUI distributors as well
Depends on what you want to do
M
Points can work just fine
Next step is one of the pertronix type conversions where it eliminates the points but keeps the same distributor
Next would be a HEI, either the MSD corvette tach drive one ($$$) or the offshore tach-drive and replace all the guts with decent stuff
Or go HEI and swap the mechanical tach for a later model (or the conversion kit) to make it electronic
Somewhere in there is also the DUI distributors as well
Depends on what you want to do
M
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,248
Likes: 7,839
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I must say I'm really happy with my DUI distributor. But my car came with an electric tach. Not really certain which car the OP is working on. His profile lists 3 cars. One is to new.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,248
Likes: 7,839
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 486
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
Wish my car's previous owner had not gone to a HEI. The mechanical tach no longer works and the dash would have to be taken apart to install an electronic conversion module on the back of the tach. I bought a small electric one and can install it on the steering column but that seems rather tacky. I just use it under the hood with alligator clips when working on the car.
I too recommend staying with the points unless you want to spend the money on a DUI.
I too recommend staying with the points unless you want to spend the money on a DUI.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,248
Likes: 7,839
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I'll say this about that. Definitely do not spend the money on a DUI. Unless of course you want your car to run better than it ever has!
I live overseas. So keeping in mind my cost on a custom made DUI distributor delivered is roughly 3 times what you guys in the states pay. And it's still worth every penny!
DUI makes there own housings. They custom make the distributor for your engine, in your car. Or, they also have off the shelf units.
I had them make me up a custom curved one with the appropriate vacuum advance can for my non standard engine. Yes, I had to wait for them to make it. They originally told me 3 months.
In 2 months my new distributor arrived at my door.
I dropped it in. Set initial timing, then checked max timing and RPM. then checked vacuum advance operation.
Bottom line is I didn't need to check. They nailed it.
My car runs fantastic, keeps its cool all the time.
Probably the best money I have spent on my engine.
Highly recommend the DUI custom made distributor.
But only if you want your car to run fantastic.
I live overseas. So keeping in mind my cost on a custom made DUI distributor delivered is roughly 3 times what you guys in the states pay. And it's still worth every penny!
DUI makes there own housings. They custom make the distributor for your engine, in your car. Or, they also have off the shelf units.
I had them make me up a custom curved one with the appropriate vacuum advance can for my non standard engine. Yes, I had to wait for them to make it. They originally told me 3 months.
In 2 months my new distributor arrived at my door.
I dropped it in. Set initial timing, then checked max timing and RPM. then checked vacuum advance operation.
Bottom line is I didn't need to check. They nailed it.
My car runs fantastic, keeps its cool all the time.
Probably the best money I have spent on my engine.
Highly recommend the DUI custom made distributor.
But only if you want your car to run fantastic.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 401
Likes: 79
From: Northeast PA
Lectric Limited sells a great electronic under-the-cap points replacement, less than an hour to install, & no more dwell/gap setting. Used it on my 73 with great success. I got one at Carlisle when they just introduced them for under $90, but the price has increased since COVID struck…
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
Lectric Limited sells a great electronic under-the-cap points replacement, less than an hour to install, & no more dwell/gap setting. Used it on my 73 with great success. I got one at Carlisle when they just introduced them for under $90, but the price has increased since COVID struck…
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 984
From: Wauconda IL
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia