Hey Guys the time is getting closer to getting rid of my clanking old 216 (thank God), and swapping in a fully pro rebuilt 235. I have been contemplating a few things and I'm looking for a bit of sage like advice. I am really thinking of spending the dough on the Pertronix points killer set-up with their coil, but has anybody ever heard of going over the top and putting a MSD box on this motor. The motor I am running is basically stock, everything is new, balanced, slight and I mean slight cam upgrade, milled head for straightness/mild performance, dual carbs and header. I am making the car into a nice cruiser and something that I will have more fun showing than polishing. But like most folks here I am on a budget and need to purchase the "right" parts to keep everything running its best. Please let me know what you know or have heard about, and if anybody in the Joliet area feels like getting dirty the weekend of the 17th please let me know, I would love the help/company!!! Thanks for all the help and advice!!!
The stock distributors do not have a particularly performance advance curve. The PerTronix is definitely a great palace to start - easier starting, better spark, more complete combustion etc. Adding the MSD box with a stock distributor is kind of a waste in my opinion. If you want to get trick, get one of PerTronix new Plug N Play replacement distributor which has the Ignitor II which has adaptive dwell and ignition circuit protection in a New distributor that has a better (and adjustable) curve plus the advantage of all new shaft, bearings etc. see it here http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=d106800&dds=1
I ran a pertronix ignitor for years; never missed the points I've never run an msd box; not sure you'd gain much with one on a basic street motor.
Both have given you GOOD advice. Switch in the Igniter kit/coil, or go all the way and swap out the whole disrtributor fot the new Pertronix. Do NOT piss your $$$ away on the MSD box...at least until you have a need for it...
Langdon at stove bolt sells a modified S-10 V6 HEI that he converts to bolt into the 235. I have one on my 55 Chevy pick up along with a Holley 390 Cfm 4 barrel on a Clifford manifold and Fenton Cast iron headers. I modified a 230/292 I/6 HEI with the coil in the cap. I am running a Wayne valve cover and side plate set on my engine and could not use the big body distributor because the cap hold down straps hit the cast aluminum side plate and prevent getting enough advance. You convert a big body HEI and use it if you run a stamped steel side plate. Because the side plate goes into the hole it gives room for the big body distributor to rotate for advance. I have seen a big body distributor on a 235 with an aluminum Offenhauser side plate on a street driven panel truck.
If you are on a budget what has worked for countless thousands of people for millions of miles is good old points. You asked..........
Hotroddon, the link you provided is for a 230/250 distributor. Dimebag has a 235. I like the Pertronix, but you MUST have the correct ohms from your coil. Get the Pertronix Flamethrower coil and module as a package from Pertronix and you'll be fine. An MSD is a waste of money. Too much zap for a motor that doesn't need it.
I have used pertronix on a couple of different vehicles. On my 250 I went with thier ignitor-2 which you need to use their coil. It works fine. If it were me I would be very tempted to do the same on the 235. Todd
If for no other reason i would go with a early Mallory with the cool two piece cap and a matched coil for the system. Miles of happy motoring and the " coolest " look ever...... It would be the one all the way to the right. Or seven to the left is a orginal "curved" cast iron six unit with corvette dual points..uses a nos dyna flite plate etc , couldnt run any better than this one as well...............
A 250 distributor can easily be converted to run in a 235 and vice versa. Of course, I don't know the details, but I do know it's not hard.
......and for those who fret over the "unreliable" point type distributors, I ran on of the '50s style Mallory dual points in my first '53 Chevy for seven years, and adjusted the point gap once. Never had to replace them.
Here's a link to Langdon's 216/235 HEI Distributor. http://www.stoveboltengineco.com/acartpro/product.asp?productid=123 I ran one on my stock 235. Worked great!
Modify a stock 250/292 HEI. Best bang for the buck in my experience. Dual points are overrated, especially for an engine like this. MSD is unnecessary.
If your heart is set on using msd, you can trigger it off the points. Since the points arent seeing the load of the coil they will live LONG time. Adjustment is less crucial as well.
what Heathen said... and another point to ponder...wnen an msd box is used in a points ignition, the points will not heat up enough to burn as when used with a conventional capacitor. the points will last almost indefinitely. i rebuilt my 270 GMC dizzy with a new-old-stock Dyna-Flyte dual-point breaker plate that uses common Delco d103 points and i will use a Mallory Voltmaster coil and an msd 6a with it
Go to SUMMIT. They have an HEI distributor brand new for the235CI. You just have to regap the plugs another .010 for a good burn.
One of the advantages to using the Langdon's unit is that he re-curves it specifically for the 235 engines. He knows what he's doing having spent 37 years at GM in the engine design/development dept. And if you have any questions, you can call and talk to him but better have a note pad handy - he knows his stuff.
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