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I'm not trying to be picky here, but as an electrical engineer, my advice is to skip over the theory/technical explanation in this link, and just read the servicing part. The technical portion has an awful lot of technical errors in it.
would you take a look at my posts 4 and 23 … can you estimate where 10-12 yo GM HEI's manufactured?
The big question I have is......do they supply a dizzy to fit the olde tyme Poncho blocks.....326-455??? bet not.....
That would be a really bad business decision... Pontiac engines haven't been built for 40 years. Chevy Gen 1 engines are still in production , and can be bought new. GM is supporting current engines with new parts. They are not starting new OEM parts production for engines obsolete 40 years ago... The aftermarket has the Pontiac parts covered in saturation - you can buy new Pontiac distributors for under $100.
I'm not trying to be picky here, but as an electrical engineer, my advice is to skip over the theory/technical explanation in this link, and just read the servicing part. The technical portion has an awful lot of technical errors in it.
Thanks! I almost always cringe when I read an article written about one of my areas of expertise. I assume this is true for most other writing about other topics as well.
Originally Posted by jackson
would you take a look at my posts 4 and 23 … can you estimate where 10-12 yo GM HEI's manufactured?
The eBay listing has since expired, but the distributor I bought came in a much more sketchy looking box than the new one posted here, and I recall it being listed as a ZZ4 takeoff. Same part number, 93440806, marked on the distributor cap with a sticker that could have been from the recycler, not OEM, and not definitive. The coil on the cap says "MADE IN USA".
would you take a look at my posts 4 and 23 … can you estimate where 10-12 yo GM HEI's manufactured?
As I mentioned in post #2, we (GM's component divisions and personnel) were all kicked to the curb by GM in 1999. After that AC-Delco morphed into a purchasing group, buying stuff from all over the world. I have no definitive or insider information about where AC-D purchased service/replacement distributors, but my first guess would be Taiwan or mainland China. I welcome any corrections if someone has a newer vintage distributor with a stamp indicating its country of origin.
Crane makes this little adjustable stop for the vacuum advance. Now I have 5* distributor degrees advance. All in at 6.5"
I see 375 center, what numbers are the weights, 41?
What are you putting this in? For years I've read to look for 375 center and 41 weights, I gave up since old vehicles in salvage yards just aren't there like they used to be.
The next step is to shim the shaft, allowing for expansion. Since the housing is aluminum, and the shaft is steel, there should be a difference of expansion rate. If you read about the desired gap, you will get answers all over the map.
Originally, they came with one .030" shim. However, how do you know? You heat it up.
SO, at the risk of promising Mrs. Bird a new stove, let the test begin.
After baking 1 hour at 200*, the gap was immediately rechecked, and a change of .006" was determined.
If your distributor is ever this hot, chances are it's toast.
Conclusion: I will go back to .010" clearance, and never fret again. I also surmise that .008" to .010" is fine.
This is where all the metal gurus can agree or disagree. I just don't see an issue, nor do I see a need for .020" - .030" gap that some would argue is necessary.
I would suggest using a shim pack with the thickest shims possible, as a .001" shim could wear out and drop in the chaos below.
On the earlier small cap points distributors my 69 CSM recommends shimming .002" - .007" for mainshaft end clearance. I run .005" and have never had a problem or scoring on the shims due to lack of clearance.
On the earlier small cap points distributors my 69 CSM recommends shimming .002" - .007" for mainshaft end clearance. I run .005" and have never had a problem or scoring on the shims due to lack of clearance.
Thanks for posting all of this! I wish there were more of these tech-talks on the forum, though a search through the archives often uncovers some gems.
You are indeed quite fortunate to have found Mrs. Bird, if she tolerates science in your house.
02-11-2019, 04:46 PM
