Distributor troubles
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Distributor troubles
Any help would be great, ....here goes,...i have a 74 ...for about 4 years now ...you know the story, sat in a garage since 86,(last stick on the windshield) started every now and then ....60k miles....slowly redoing most of it myself (the easy stuff), and now getting to the have to send her out for service stuff, ...she doesnt seem to run as smooth as she should ....still has single points system (updated i think),im not at the point where i would jump in her and go on a two hour run ....runs alittle rough and has hard starts when she hot ....(starter blanket maybe needed?)....But as far a distributors go, do i go with a Rebuilt tach drive, ...or a Breakerless electronic kit or a HEI,..MSD tach drive with a 6AL box??? 
and what about new wires??? ... and then do i have to update the alternator? ... Or should i be looking at Carburetors??... i do at least one project a year with her (not all at once).. .and where is a good place to shop ....i mostly use Ecklers now.... any help would be great, ....thanks for your time.
and what about new wires??? ... and then do i have to update the alternator? ... Or should i be looking at Carburetors??... i do at least one project a year with her (not all at once).. .and where is a good place to shop ....i mostly use Ecklers now.... any help would be great, ....thanks for your time.
Last edited by 1974 C3; Apr 18, 2005 at 07:38 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Why not start simple (and save some money)...put a tune-up kit in your existing distributor. Points, condensor, cap and rotor. New wires and spark plugs would be a good idea, too. Get good quality stuff, like Blue Streak (Advance Auto carries this line.)
Get a copy of Lars timing paper at www.corvettefaq.com -- follow the instructions -- and the ignition system will be OK fine for now!
BTW: Hard starts when are often caused by too much ignition advance. Also, you may need to rebuild your carb at some point (not as hard as it sounds). If it sat a long time, it's likely gunked up. Don't be afraid to come back and ask for specific help!
Get a copy of Lars timing paper at www.corvettefaq.com -- follow the instructions -- and the ignition system will be OK fine for now!
BTW: Hard starts when are often caused by too much ignition advance. Also, you may need to rebuild your carb at some point (not as hard as it sounds). If it sat a long time, it's likely gunked up. Don't be afraid to come back and ask for specific help!
Last edited by page62; Apr 18, 2005 at 09:16 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,370
Likes: 6,364
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
There's nothing at all wrong with a properly set up points distributor - it won't limit your performance in any way. Upgrade it with a set of NAPA CS786 points with an RR175 condenser. If the engine is stock or near-stock, install a VC680 vacuum advance control unit and run it off a direct manifold vacuum source after setting up your total timing to 36 degrees. This will give you an outstanding ignition system and a great level of performance assuming that the other mechanical aspects of the car are good.
