replacing points distributor with electronic
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
replacing points distributor with electronic
Anyone give me some pointers on getting a better distributor for my 71??
Also how hard is it to replace?
Thanks
Hal Peters
71 Vert (don't know why I didn't get one sooner...)
Also how hard is it to replace?
Thanks
Hal Peters
71 Vert (don't know why I didn't get one sooner...)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Springfield Oregon
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (hpeters)
I have a Mallory Unilite on my car. It's an easy change-over. You'll need a different coil for electronic ignition. Only trouble is the tach drive Unilite is like $350+coil+wires(if you want). Mine was on my car when I bought it and is mechanical advance only. I run it at 12deg. initial and 36deg. total. The advance amount and rate are adjustable, and it has been a good unit for me. Looks trick!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (hpeters)
:yesnod: I'm running the same Unilite unit as ORVette...superb performance and reliability. That's the reason I got it in the first place...I was tired of fiddling with the tach drive gears. This unit has it all factory assembled and has been working perfectly since '88 when I installed it. Also FYI, I'm using it to trigger an MSD-6A unit. I like!!...think you will too. Good luck! :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
Likes: 1
From: delmont pa
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (hpeters)
there several replacement units out there that use your stock distributor with the addition of a unit inside the distributor. check the ads in corvette magazines. :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (hpeters)
I have the Mallory as well and love it....I have the tack drive version...I think I got it through Summit or Jegs for about $300 a few yrs back.
A cheaper option is the petronix II conversion....I had version 1 for a while but decided to go with the Mallory.
Two other Tack Drive Electronic Distributors are MSD and DUI. I just prefered the smaller size of the Mallory. A last option I saw at a show a while back. Guy had a ZL1 replica and had put in a normal HEI but pulled his tack and sent it to "Clocks by Roger" to have it converted over to electronic and alleviate the cable...kinda cool because he got rid of the bounce that's prone with tach cables. Several good options to go with.
A cheaper option is the petronix II conversion....I had version 1 for a while but decided to go with the Mallory.
Two other Tack Drive Electronic Distributors are MSD and DUI. I just prefered the smaller size of the Mallory. A last option I saw at a show a while back. Guy had a ZL1 replica and had put in a normal HEI but pulled his tack and sent it to "Clocks by Roger" to have it converted over to electronic and alleviate the cable...kinda cool because he got rid of the bounce that's prone with tach cables. Several good options to go with.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (ZORA_RULES)
MSD Pro BIllet. Car fires faster then my fuel injected Sonoma. Looks :cool: too. No problems with the tach drive yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (Fevre)
I had the Pertronix II and I would NOT recommend it at all......Fried in two months on me....I am running points w/original set-up. When i bought it the car had and HEI set-up I pulled it and went to stock and the car runs better with the points
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria VA
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (hpeters)
Thanks for the thread. I am also considering replacing my distributor with a high performance replacement. I am still finding my way around the engine so I'd like to post a few questions to this thread as well. What exactly is HEI and what are the advantages/disadvantages? Also, in my '74 I believe it is possible to have either an HEI or points since chevy shipped both that year. How would I determine which I currently have?
And then back to the real question of this thread, whats a good replacement?
And then back to the real question of this thread, whats a good replacement?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (hpeters)
I replaced the points in my stock distributor with a Mallory Unilite conversion, worked very well so far and was a pretty easy install.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (pingdashf)
What exactly is HEI and what are the advantages/disadvantages? Also, in my '74 I believe it is possible to have either an HEI or points since chevy shipped both that year. How would I determine which I currently have?
And then back to the real question of this thread, whats a good replacement?
And then back to the real question of this thread, whats a good replacement?
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 1,390
MSD
Comes with Tach Drive and Vacuum Advance. Work of art. Replaced my Mallory Unilite with this MSD after it failed. (can't really complain about Mallory though, it always worked for about a dozen years).
I believe the MSD is even Smog Legal. And it is tunable.
I believe the MSD is even Smog Legal. And it is tunable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (pingdashf)
So HEI is more powerful? Is there any reason to stick with a Points Distributor if you are going to upgrade?
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (hpeters)
I've been debating going with a setup from these folks
http://www.tispecialty.com/
Keeps the look original, supposedly.
http://www.tispecialty.com/
Keeps the look original, supposedly.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: replacing points distributor with electronic (hpeters)
The MSD with tach drive is super. Have run one for 7 years and zero problems. The curve is adjustable with springs and bushings. Comes with a grease fitting which I give a shot yearly. The unit will trigger the MSD 6A or 6AL or the Crane HI-6 boxes. You will need an electronic ignition box and coil. Ecklers and I believe Summit have them for about $350 + the box + the coil.
