Distributor replacement

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 23, 2008 | 12:39 PM

rayluka

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,838

Likes: 13

From: Kingman AZ

Distributor replacement

What is a good replacement for a 1976 HEI distributor?

Oct 23, 2008 | 12:48 PM

bashcraft

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 6,499

Likes: 137

From: Butler Pa

Another HEI. You really can't do much better for a stock or mild performance engine.

Oct 23, 2008 | 12:50 PM

rayluka

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,838

Likes: 13

From: Kingman AZ

Im sorry. I meant manufacturer. Or is this not a concern either?

Oct 23, 2008 | 02:51 PM

thegazman

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 1,305

Likes: 2

From: Lewisburg WV

thegazman

Go to Summit Racing or Jegs. They have some upgraded distributors at a fair price.

Oct 23, 2008 | 03:23 PM

BKbroiler

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 5,084

Likes: 786

From: Lebanon Township New Jersey

I got the basic MSD, HEI distributor from Jegs. Direct replacement for the stock unit. Works fine.

Oct 23, 2008 | 04:23 PM

BarryK

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 7,106

Likes: 38

From: Newark DE

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashcraft

Another HEI. You really can't do much better for a stock or mild performance engine.

!
what's wrong with yours now? Chances are you can have it rebuilt for the same OR LESS money than what an aftermarket unit will cost you and the stock units were great units.

Oct 23, 2008 | 05:32 PM

rayluka

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,838

Likes: 13

From: Kingman AZ

I dont know that anything is wrong. Im having odd problems with surging and bucking on WOT and since I advanced it a couple degrees the car runs better. I read Lars's papers on timing and pick up the springs tonight. If it improves I feel it may be the cause and plan to just replace it with a new unit. Ive gone thru everything else.( carb tune-up fuel pump etc)

Oct 23, 2008 | 05:45 PM

BarryK

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 7,106

Likes: 38

From: Newark DE

surging is typical of too much vacuum advance.

If your distributor is not actually malfunctioning, which it sounds like it's probably not, a good rebuild and recurve is probably all it needs. That's a lot less expensive than buying a new unit!