Like most of us, I want to keep my motor period looking and hate to use an electronic distributor that will be too modern looking. I could go with a vintage mag. unit, but also want to try to have the use of a vintage AM radio (with FM converter probably too) in the truck as it will be driven quite a bit. It will be a "mild" blown 392 as it will just have the 4-71 and I want it to run pretty smooth, not all cammed up and lumpy, etc. So, question is, would a stock hemi distributor be good enough for this application? Or do I really need to get a better distributor with more control or better spark? Can I convert the stock to electronic with a Pertronix unit and will that work well? I got a complete electronic distributor for my 245 Stude flathead from a guy who custom made it, but I think he said Mallory actually provided the internals for it. It is pretty stock looking except it has the red cap instead of black and it has a custom alum. body instead of the stock steel. Mallory might have made the whole thing as a custom order batch for him, not sure. Anyway, it seems to work fine for that motor for over a year now. But a flathead 6 is a different beast than even a mildly blown 392 hemi. Looks like Mallory has a standard one available for the 392's, part number 3733701. Are these a good option for my application or is there a better one? I can paint it out black, at least the cap. Or will the stock distributor be good enough for my normal driving, no racing, no super high performance, application? But, oh, almost forgot, will likely be running this on propane though as I am now with the 245 flathead motor. Thanks and Happy New Year!
I will say that my blown Chevy engine (471) that used to be in my 41 had a stock single point dist. with a stock coil. I never got more than 300 miles out of a set of plugs. When I put the DeSoto and blower(671) in the car I used Chrysler electronic ign. with a hi-perf coil. I've yet to pull the plugs with probably 3000 miles on the engine. I'd say a little better spark for the blower and added/extra mixture would be the best move IMO
I have a full electronic dist. all under the stock cap. Contact GMC Bubba for the details... (He did mine)...
The Mopar electronic is the best bang for the buck, bar none, IMHO. If you need/want to keep the 50's looking cap and iron housing then talk with Bubba. ...and stock up on caps and rotors while you can still get them.
If you want the mag look there is someone doing electronic distributors in replica Joe Hunt mags. They look good and p*** even a good look, so I hear. Doc.
I would be careful using the Vertex "mag look" distributor. I have first hand experience with these and I would not waste your money. I use a Mallory in my 392, blown nostalgic drag car, however; you have a billet type distributor shaft with the usual red cap.
I haven't heard good things about the stealth mags, either and while they don't necessary seem bad and done well enough, something still a little off about that concept. I am not so much looking for the mag. look but just want what might actually be necessary to properly spark a mildly blown hemi while still seeming period enough and not screw with all my other electrical stuff and cause problems as it seems the mags. might. Plus, the cool mags. are crazy expensive. As for the Mallory units, it seems like those could easily be painted out all black and be a pretty decent solution. But, even better, I did chat with GMC Bubba toady and sounds like he does in fact offer a service to convert the internals of the stock distributors to electronic with stock Chrysler and GM parts. Seems like a good appropriate hot rod solution to me. He even cleans up everthing and repaints it all too as need. So, I think I am going to give him a try with that. If I do, I'll let you know how it turns out, although my project probably won't be a runner until a bit later this year hopefully. GMC Bubba, feel free to chime in if you want. Thanks for the tips!
Stock hemi points distributor connected to an Accel 300+ w/coil under the dash. http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+115+310597&D=310597
I can show you pics of mine when I get it out of the shop tomorrow, Bubba is the KING of Ignition systems...... S****s
Pertronixs, make a unite for a stock dist. Buy a Flame Thrower coil and it all the spark you'll need.. Duane.
Stock points dist. ? HAhahahahah what a laugh. Yeah, forget technology. Not to mention retarding the timing during boost conditions. All those stupid people running race cars & those dumb nascar teams, they don't even know points are the best ignition you can have.
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