Distributor... rebuild or replace?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Hillsville VA
Distributor... rebuild or replace?
I tried the search but didnt really find the answer to my question. I am replacing timing chain and balancer, and want to rebuild or replace my dist. I thought about buying a reman from local parts store, but I dont trust that I would be any better off. Is the rebuild something that I could do myself or do I need special tools. Thanks, Kevin
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Granbury TX
I reccomend getting a replacement from D.U.I. or Performance Distributors. There are many advantages. While rebuilding it yourself is not rocket science, setting up the the centrifigal advance and vacuum advance is not for someone with limited experiance. DUI builds distributors with matched performanced parts and then sets up the distributors curve on a distributor machine based on data and specs of your partcular car. That alone could be worth the price. They are widely advertised in many performance magazines and would be a great place to call with your questions.
Last edited by Strike3; Aug 14, 2008 at 11:46 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
No Profile ... is it going into a Ford Truck ?
Hard to recommend something when we don' know the details.
when I came to this point, I eleceted to get 1 of the new HEI Dist.
with tach drive built into the dist. for my 69 Vette.
Hard to recommend something when we don' know the details.
when I came to this point, I eleceted to get 1 of the new HEI Dist.
with tach drive built into the dist. for my 69 Vette.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 3
From: Millersville, MD
I reccomend getting a replacement from D.U.I. or Performance Distributors. There are many advantages. While rebuilding it yourself is not rocket science, setting up the the centrifigal advance and vacuum advance is not for someone with limited experiance. DUI builds distributors with matched performanced parts and then sets up the distributors curve on a distributor machine based on data and specs of your partcular car. That alone could be worth the price. They are widely advertised in many performance magazines and would be a great place to call with your questions.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Now I agree that although he did me a great favor while at my house. He hastened my gravity bleed by wrapping his lips around some hose while it was attached to an open bleeder and provided an adequate ammount of vac. to get the brake fluid to the calipers.
But to say then that Labatt is only good for washing the taste out of your mouth! 
Well I never!!!
Competent...without question!!!
Beer Snob...I think so!!!
Love ya' Lars...In a MANLY sort of way!!!
Mark
Mark
Last edited by sly vette; Aug 15, 2008 at 12:07 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,114
Likes: 3,905
From: Connecticut, USA
I've rebuilt all my points distributors and the GM HEI. Used the kits Lars used to have and they work great. I machined bushings to replace the factory ones and cut down the sideplay and shimmed to remove the endplay.
I wouldn't trade them for anything in the catalogs. Properly setup they work fine and have for 50 years.
If you think yours is NG and buy something else let me know if you still want your old one.
Good luck.
I wouldn't trade them for anything in the catalogs. Properly setup they work fine and have for 50 years.
If you think yours is NG and buy something else let me know if you still want your old one.
Good luck.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Hillsville VA
Sorry for the lack of details but I would not have brought Ford truck problems to a Vette forum. Thanks anyway.
I would like to rebuild it myself and keep the cost down. I know that it is a Vette and I shouldn't be concerned with cost, but I dont plan on keeping this engine in it forever. Just want a little more use out of it. Can anyone recommend a rebuild kit and maybe a link to a write-up?
Oh, its just a standard 350 in a 76 Corvette.....Black, if that changes anything.
Last edited by VettAgra; Aug 15, 2008 at 09:42 PM. Reason: Insufficiant information
