Hamerdown

Some may have viewed my thread about my 1981...
and ongoing VERY aggravating, horrible idle and possible ECM issues...WELL I'm DONE with the ECM, E4ME carb and ECM controlled Distributor...I want an Engine I can tune!

I do have a pre-E4ME Rochester Quadrajet that has been sitting under my bench for 20+ years...I'll be dropping it off to a fella that will fully clean,rebuild and run (dial in) on his test-engine (all he does is carbs) $230.00

As for a replacement Distributor for my 1981;
I would prefer a 'good' gently-used, low miles used GM pre-computer HEI distributor but I'm not finding ANYTHING at local junkyards.

So...I'm considering the unit below offered by Summit
(I know it's Chinese)...I don't remember the last time I RPM'd my engine over 4000 rpm, just driven as a cruiser.

Any feedback on the below Distributor, anyone run it?
I do not believe the Summit distributor will accept my OEM 'TACH-BATTERY' connectors (summit offers a two wire pigtail)
BTW...once my above conversion is complete I'll be asking how to hook-up a switch for the TC350c so the torque converter will lock-up for highway driving (I don't recall if the trans plug is a 2, 3 or 4 pin)
As always, thanks for any feedback, Ray
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...make/chevrolet

tehjrow

I bought this one for my 81 when I got rid of the ECU

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...Query=91012342

Kevova

There are new billet hei distributors. The basic big cap hei connector never changed. I would trust a 40 year distributor. You would have to replace most of it so why not brand new? The tcc used a combination of a gear switch in the transmission and a vacuum switch to control the tcc relay way back when.

Hamerdown

Thanks for the link but, do you think it 'may' be the same distributor Summit sells? (just asking)
How long have you been running it ???
Check your messages, thanks Ray

derekderek

Buy the eBay version for 50 bucks. Same thing. Middleman making 5 bucks instead of 50. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-SBC-B...cAAOSw76dbf7hg

Hamerdown

I fully understand your reasoning behind a 40 year old Distributor.
My 38 year old GM distributor never broke or left me on the side of the road...the Chinese stuff at times worries me.
I know people that had issues with expensive MSD electronics etc.

Hamerdown

Thanks for the suggestion...at times I wonder 'if' those parts are items that did not meet up to Summit or Jegs etc specifications...maybe 'seconds or slight defects'?
I will be researching buyers feedback!
EDIT...went back to a 1980, 1979, 78, 1977 Vette and got this..."This part is not compatible with 1977 Chevrolet Corvette Base Coupe 2-Door 5.7L 350Cu. In. V8 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated."

derekderek

I have two of those. I run them on boats.

Hamerdown

After 25 years of owning her I recently sold my 1983 21' Daytona Eliminator (Jet-boat) with a nasty 572ci so, I know boats 'work' parts!
For the above application I used MSD.

Question...I believe the Chinese HEI distributors will not accept the OE GM battery & tach plugs into the aftermarket distributor terminal...where did you purchase the HEI Power Pigtail for Battery and Tach ?
I reached-out to the eBay seller you supplied the link to about the possable needed pigtail, so far no reply.


Thanks again for your feedback, Ray