I'm interested in a small cap distributor for my new 350 ci crate engine, 345hp. Application: 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS 350 Tran Besides the Performance and MSD models, any other suggestions or models? Chevrolet V8 Tri-Power Ignition System – Performance Distributors performancedistributors.com https://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8360#overview
Some being sold are likely made offshore and the electronics might be suspect. If I wanted one I’d look at davessmallbodyheis.com, he has an electrical engineering background and converts GM distributors. You will get reliability and the look of a factory point type distributor.
Yeah, we are all cost-conscious, but the cheap stuff is going to let you down. Is it cheap enough to buy two and have a spare to swap out on the side of the road? The whole reason for moving from points to HEI is set and forget reliability. If it's not, might as well buy a points setup and be able to adjust and repair. Some swear by points, some with unilite, others MSD. I'd look at who stands behind their work. Call the hotline and see if it's waiting room hell and if they blame install or other accessories. The thing should require a feed, a couple wires between the coil and dist. and flat out work. Having advance components that are adjustable and replaceable is a plus.
With Thought , you can add 80s 4 terminal Gm HEI modules to any distributor , Accle even made in 90s , Mollary made a unlite kit in late 80s to convert point cap to unlite , you can still do with thought, MSD now $500 rang ! hide module in a different location. Those cheap O -S 2 wire electronic distributors work , The come with cheap cap & rotors Quality, Distributor I've seen as low as $60 With out coil , Ran one for 20k with No issue
If you should go with points get the Uni-point style, the condenser and the point set are one unit and held down with 2 screws. Hook the lead wire up , set them with a dwell meter and your good to go.
ABSOLUTELY! I even have an HEI driving a Ford Duraspark II distributor in my '46 pickup. Tech tip #1: Mount it on a heat sink for reliability. Tech tip #2: Mount two - side-by-side, so if one ever fails you can plug into the spare. To see easy installation instructions go to www.gofastforless.com
Mine is similar, eBay as well. It came with wires and a huge coil. I was able to swap the coil for a round one. I have 13k miles on it. The vendor is "the swap meet parts". I've bought other items from them since.
A word of warning on the Accel electronic adapter kits for SBC/BBC distributors. If you also run an MSD box the Accel aren't compatible with the MSD. I discovered this the hard way. Got a brand new points distributor and an Accel conversion kit. Installed it, and installed my new MSD 6AL box. Then went through the instructions trying to find one for the ACCEL. Nothing there, so I called MSD tech line and was told the MSD wont work with an Accel conversion. Pulled the distributor and dropped in a spare points distributor and wired it to my MSD.
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