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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Spankyellow
Distributors from Most F bodies and trucks of that era should work. Did you try the local parts stores ?
No. I don't think the avg retail auto counter personnel would know that. So which F bodies/trucks use a small dist with the same plug config as our vettes? I don't know....
I saw a thread on an MSD dist that includes a reference to an expert who knows how to repin/remap distributors. I also see where small caps run $140 up.... I'm guessing some of the lower priced distribs will work, but a few threads that cover the subject seem to talk about the MSD 8366.
Someone sells the adaptor harness to switch to the small distributor, I cant remember who. Maybe Jims Performance ? Seems like it was $20. My 89 Camaro has a small distributor that I am sure would work with the adaptor.
You need a small cap dizzy + coil from a 88+ fbody, or 87+ full size pickup, or TBI caprice, etc, etc. Might as well grab a section of harness and just splice the wires, unless you can find the adapter somewhere. You'll also need to splice or adapt the power + tach wires for the coil.
I imagine you want the small cap dizzy to decrease the amount of voltage required to jump the gap with more advance? I've run both setups over the years.
What small cap distributors will work with an '89.... (The only one I've seen mentioned so far is > $300).
gp
I just finished gathering up a small cap conversion for my soon to be done FIRST install. I bought a new small cap distibutor and associated harnesses from Tpi parts on Ebay, for about $250.00 all together. Distributor by itself was $170.00. I don't know if u can get it cheaper throgh a local parts house or not. I couldn't find a better deal. Hope this helps, Tom
I just finished gathering up a small cap conversion for my soon to be done FIRST install. I bought a new small cap distibutor and associated harnesses from Tpi parts on Ebay, for about $250.00 all together. Distributor by itself was $170.00. I don't know if u can get it cheaper throgh a local parts house or not. I couldn't find a better deal. Hope this helps, Tom
I think reman units are $99 at autozone. I have a few in my shop with broken cap screws. They all oxidize and the screw breaks off into the bottom plate when you try to remove the cap.
You need a small cap dizzy + coil from a 88+ fbody, or 87+ full size pickup, or TBI caprice, etc, etc. Might as well grab a section of harness and just splice the wires, unless you can find the adapter somewhere. You'll also need to splice or adapt the power + tach wires for the coil.
I imagine you want the small cap dizzy to decrease the amount of voltage required to jump the gap with more advance? I've run both setups over the years.
I think reman units are $99 at autozone. I have a few in my shop with broken cap screws. They all oxidize and the screw breaks off into the bottom plate when you try to remove the cap.
-- Joe
Well, that's good to know (in hindsight) . Mine is a new GM unit. Any idea what cause the oxidation and a way to prevent it?
Well, that's good to know (in hindsight) . Mine is a new GM unit. Any idea what cause the oxidation and a way to prevent it?
No idea. I've seen it on trucks, fbody's, some older police cars. The screws are a way to small diameter so they snap the second you try and loosen the cap.
I have a small cap HEI for sale. To convert to a small HEI, you need the connectors and you will need to splice the 4 prong harness with one from an fbody or truck. Also you will need an external coil.