Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function.
Hey guys can anyone recommend a good distributor that will give me maximal performance, while still allowing me to use my tach? Any brands, tips and info would be most appreciated! Oh yeah... it's for a 73 350 engine.
Thanks Guys.
Michael.
[Modified by luvmy73, 5:10 AM 1/1/2002]
Thanks Guys.
Michael.
[Modified by luvmy73, 5:10 AM 1/1/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (luvmy73)
Being the cheap guy that I am I would use the stock distributor and put a conversion kit in it for electronic control, like the Mallory Unilite. Have it rebuilt with new bushings. Honestly, points work great if you don't mind being under the hood once in a while.
Had I just robbed a bank I would be spending the money on an MSD distributor.
P/N 8572 with vacuum advance
P/N 8571 without vacuum advance
Both have tach drives and must be used with an MSD control box.
Had I just robbed a bank I would be spending the money on an MSD distributor.
P/N 8572 with vacuum advance
P/N 8571 without vacuum advance
Both have tach drives and must be used with an MSD control box.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (pats406nitrovette)
I'm in the cheap variety also. Using stock distributor and hooked up to a Crane HI6 unit. I use a set of heavy duty points to trigger the unit and it performs flawless to 7000 rpm. I do like the MSD units.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (Gordonm)
I had Lars recurve my distributor and he put the points back in it. (I had a mallory unilite in it) Price was alot better than changing to an MSD system.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (luvmy73)
I gotta agree with all those choices...just watch out the ignitorII by Pertonix..I am running points and the car is running great on my 74
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: FT.LAUDERDALE FL.USA
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (luvmy73)
I'm running the MSD dist.without vac.adv.MSD HEI style cap,MSD 8.5 wires and MSD 6al box.There is the question of money MSD is not cheap
If your are running a stock motor or close to stock I see nothing wrong with
using the stock dist.but I would have if rebuilt so it works like it did when it
was new
If your are running a stock motor or close to stock I see nothing wrong with
using the stock dist.but I would have if rebuilt so it works like it did when it
was new
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (Alwyn678)
With all due respect to other members opinions, I am using the Pertronix IgnitorII for over a year without any problems whatsoever. Allthough, I did recieve a bad ignitor from the vendor the first time around. With the bad ignitor, the dist would not provide spark at all. I sent it back for another and have had no problems with it. It is a very cost effective way to convert a stock tach drive dist to electronic triggering. With performance in mind, its very important with any distributor, to set up the advance curve for best performance.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (Jvette73)
With all due respect to other members opinions, I am using the Pertronix IgnitorII for over a year without any problems whatsoever. Allthough, I did recieve a bad ignitor from the vendor the first time around. With the bad ignitor, the dist would not provide spark at all. I sent it back for another and have had no problems with it. It is a very cost effective way to convert a stock tach drive dist to electronic triggering. With performance in mind, its very important with any distributor, to set up the advance curve for best performance.
I am glad yours is doing well.......However how can u say that you have not had problems if you got a bad unit right off the get go?? My ignitor II lasted about 2k and died and I decided that points will stay in the car from now on. Good luck with your unit however if I do decide to change I would go with a Mallory unit or and MSD Billet tach drive unit
[Modified by Alwyn678, 10:50 AM 1/1/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (Alwyn678)
I can tell you this Alwyn678, as long as I have been messing with cars, if I were to boycott every manufacturer that has ever sent me a defective part, I would have no aftermarket parts on my car. I respect your opinion but remember, opinions are like A-holes, and everyone has their own. Im not being argumenitive here. Just stating my own opinion.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (Jvette73)
I can tell you this Alwyn678, as long as I have been messing with cars, if I were to boycott every manufacturer that has ever sent me a defective part, I would have no aftermarket parts on my car. I respect your opinion but remember, opinions are like A-holes, and everyone has their own. Im not being argumenitive here. Just stating my own opinion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (Alwyn678)
This comes up a lot. It's not to be an arguement, just work with the facts available. If 10 members here reported on their Ignitor2 results, and 7 had problems, the odds are not favorable to use one.
Happy New Year all :) :cheers: :cheers:
Happy New Year all :) :cheers: :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,742
Likes: 1,384
I recommend the MSD TAch Drive and associated box
I struggled with this for years and was just too cheap to just do it. The distributor comes with Vacuum Advance AND Tach Drive. It's built like a dream too. It probably helped that I already had the MSD 6A so I didn't have to buy it all at the same time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (luvmy73)
I don't know abought this fancy high priced stuff. I went to the wrekers pulled a GM HEI unit paid $25.00 cleaned-up installed new cap and roter and it works perfect. As far as the Tach goes I bought a very small aftermarket tach installed on the steering colume can't see it I used just for setting and monitoring Idle.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (73-454)
Here is something to consider if converting to Pertronix. The points can be put back in in about 20mins if needed. I carry in the car, in a ziplock baggie: a set of points and condenser, a two foot piece of 14 guage wire, and the two screws that originally hold the roter to the dist shaft. If the Ignitor ever does fail, grab a screwdriver and a mini 1/4" nut driver set. In 20mins, yur back on the road. Although ive never had to do this, lets see you do that with an MSD. Im not an opponent of the MSD, they are nice, but expensive. With the Pertronix, I believe the ability to convert back on a momments notice, is an added bonus.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Cheyenne WYO
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (Jvette73)
I installed the MSD Probillet/wtachdrive and 6a module It made a huge difference with efficiency and power on my 330hp SB. Pricey but worth it in my opinion.
Heres some preinstall pics of it and how to set it up.. http://www.weavermill.com/dist/dist.htm
Probillet Install Pics.. http://www.weavermill.com/dist/installdist.htm
6a module install.. http://www.weavermill.com/dist/ignit.htm
TC
Heres some preinstall pics of it and how to set it up.. http://www.weavermill.com/dist/dist.htm
Probillet Install Pics.. http://www.weavermill.com/dist/installdist.htm
6a module install.. http://www.weavermill.com/dist/ignit.htm
TC
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 1
From: Westampton NJ
Re: Which Distributor? Need performace and tach function. (luvmy73)
I quite enjoy my MSD setup. When I get my exhaust taken care of, the next thing is the computerized ignition controller...that is software controlled via a laptop... :D
But, right now, I have a MSD Billet (Tach Drive), 6AL, Blaster 2 coil (I need the tall tower adapter, it's arcing from the secondary back to the primary), and ACCEL 8.8 spiral race wires.
When I got it running with the new dist, and not even fully timed (like Lars suggests) it now screams over 3000 RPM...just wonderful. There was a definite seat of the pants change for the better, which means at least 5 HP gained. Oh, and the stock setup I removed (except plug wires) was completely factory, including the original (correct date coded) distributor, the original (correct date code) coil, and the original distributor cap.
The MSD just works soooo nice... :smash:
But, right now, I have a MSD Billet (Tach Drive), 6AL, Blaster 2 coil (I need the tall tower adapter, it's arcing from the secondary back to the primary), and ACCEL 8.8 spiral race wires.
When I got it running with the new dist, and not even fully timed (like Lars suggests) it now screams over 3000 RPM...just wonderful. There was a definite seat of the pants change for the better, which means at least 5 HP gained. Oh, and the stock setup I removed (except plug wires) was completely factory, including the original (correct date coded) distributor, the original (correct date code) coil, and the original distributor cap.
The MSD just works soooo nice... :smash:
