How are they different than the later pre-HEI points distributors? Do they have vacuum advance? Any functional inferiority to the later points unit? Can they be converted with a Pertronix or similar? I'm looking to get a new distro for my '58 283 and I want it to look OLD. Thanks! Ed
Early SBC ones were iron and had conventional layout, advance below the deck. Smaller than the later type ('57--'74?), looked about like a Mopar. They came in single and dual point, I think all but Corvette HP had vac advance... If you get one, I think I may have the right Mallory dual point/ball bearing vac advance plate. For early SBC stuff, collect catalogs from Corvette resto suppliers. Don't forget the strange secondary wiring path on early SBC's, a real period indicator...
If you find a '55-'56 265 distributor at a swap meet, be sure to **** on the vacuum advance (ignore the stupid jokes you'll hear while you do it) and make sure it works. Replacement vacuum pods for the early distributors are getting pricey, and if it's dead, don't pay much for the distributor. Other than that, just make sure the shaft doesn't have excessive side play. 1110847 is the number you'll see most often, but if you see a 1110869, grab it. It's a '56 power pack unit, and has a better advance curve than the 1110847. The centrifugal advance mechanisms on '55-'56 are crimped together, and are a pain in the *** to modify when compared to the '57-'74 distributors.
I've got an early one that has never been in an engine, it's brand new. It is a dual point, so I suspect that it was for a Vette. It has the little pipe on the side where your supposed to oil it. The fuelie version is identical except it had the injection pump drive. The tachs in those cars drove off of the generator shaft. John
John, Are you looking to sell it? I was thinking about a rebuilt one from NAPA, but a factory dual point unit has a much higher cool factor! Ed
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