Hey everyone, I’m new to the forum but a long time car guy. I just made a deal on a 1930 Model A that’s running a 283 SBC w/dual 4 barrels. It has one of the Joe Hunt wannabe magnetos on it. What I’ve read on here is that most experiences with them are negative. I’m also having a hard time getting it to run worth a damn and have opted to pull it out. What are your recommendations for a good small bodied distributor to run without an ignition box? Thanks! Mike
Find a good mid 60s Chevy dual point distributor and have someone with a distributor machine set it up for you. We used them in the 70s with the sportsman class cars and they were good to more rpm than you are likely to turn that engine. And parts are still available in most parts stores, so if necessary you can get back on the road in pretty much the middle of nowhere...
Well, for a street engine I would want vacuum advance. Everyone has their opinion, and you’ll get many, but I’m still a fan of old fashioned points and condenser. Simple, and have never left me high and dry. If you’re going to spin your engine high, don’t run stock points, Accel make higher oz rated points. I could spin the 400 in my off topic car to 6000 without bounce. Me personally, factory distributor with breaker points with a dialed in mechanical curve and vacuum advance and your set.
I have no idea of what is best, but I am sure many on here do , and they should be along to share their knowledge or at least an opinion or three. I can tell you I have 4 vehicles (Flathead, HEMI, 455 and an air-cooled VW) all running MSD distributors at the moment, and I have had zero issues with them. The one of the 455 has been there for 20 years and has not missed a beat.
Agree that vacuum advance is a good thing for street engine. I use manifold vacuum on my stuff. As for what distributor, a smaller cap is needed for your clearance and looks. No HEI with the big diam and coil in the cap. The dual point is a good choice, but you can get by fine with single point. Many like electronic conversions instead of points. The beauty of points is you can fix on side of the road easily.
HEI is definitely a no go in this car. I have about 5” from distributor centerline and 9” vertical. Thinking an MSD RTR or Mallory unilite. Not sure I’d go the points route.
Yes it’s the car in my avatar. Is that an old dual point dizzy you’re referring to? What about a new Mallory unilite?
I think the distributor should fit the period of the car. It's pretty small, but your avatar looks like an older style rod (mainly the 283, dual quads, "wide whites"). As such, it deserves an old style distributor, and a Mallory "flattop" sure fits that description. They are still not that hard to find or an SBC and surprisingly, parts aren't that bad. They also work very well; I have them on flatheads, a couple of early hemi's, and an Olds "Rocket". A Mallory ""The BEST Coil I Ever Made" rounds out the "look". A "Unilite" isn't even close in style, plus, I've heard they can be unreliable. After all, this is a "Traditional Hot Rod Forum".
I just did this for my car, and also did the same for a buddy's car. Both run amazing. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/PNX-D104600 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/PNX-45001
I would find and older cast iron GM distributor. If you go with a Mallory you may not find parts as easy if you have a problem. And I have heard of people having problems with the ready to run MSD units.
Physical size and then being able to repair if needed without having to make an emergency call to have a part shipped red label over night so you can get back on the road are the two main considerations. The other consideration is what your personal budget that is no business of the rest of us allows. A complete MSD ready to run 8360 with coil and wires runs 750 from Speedway.
You could buy one like this that uses points and you adjust the dwell through the window in the cap. And if needed you can add better points or a set of uni-points . Those are where the points and condenser are one unit and easier to change. Or even a factory dual point that you adjust through the cap and just run one set of points. https://www.classicindustries.com/p...oho48UX4Y36hhRGF_UEaAnL_EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Just get a early chevy dist. and put a Pertronix unit in it. I have been using them for 30 years. Same on has been in one of my cars for 30 years. Very easy to do.
I have the petronix stock look distributor with ignitor iii module and built in rev limiter. looks just like a single point dizzy
You can buy a new or reman sbc points style distributor from rock auto or other sources for $75 or so , would be period correct , plenty of spark for a mild small block ... Unilites aren't a problem , the people using / installing them are , however.
@lumpy 63 has you covered for the look and basic around town cruizin and having fun. If the plans are plenty of long distance use, I'd want the vacuum advance for more efficiency. In either case a set of ignition parts with the lube, a screwdriver and a matchbook (for gap) in the glovebox and you should be golden.
I ran a Mallory Unilite in my old Sedan Deliv. for over 12 years. Always carried an extra cap, rotor and module with me...never had to use them. (Didn't care for the red cap though).
I am running a small cap HEI made by DUI along with their standard looking coil. Really happy with it so far. They tuned it to the desired advance curve. https://performancedistributors.com/product/chevy-dual-power-ignition/ It wasn't cheap and it took a while, but it wasn't made in China and i would have support if things went south.
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