[stfinney]

I have a 1975 HEI distributor that is acting up alot. Won't give me more than 12deg of mechanical timing. Should I rebuild mine or just get a new one? I am looking at these new ones from Summit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-8362/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TAY-640000/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRO-66941BM/

What do you think??

It's going into a 1974 sbc 350 that's in a 1972 Chevy C10 Truck. It's not a daily driver, but I use it for pulling trailers, boats and such. Thanks!

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by stfinney

I have a 1975 HEI distributor that is acting up alot. Won't give me more than 12deg of mechanical timing. Should I rebuild mine or just get a new one?

Most HEI GM distributors have the potential of more than 12º of mechanical advance, but it's the weights and cam that actually decide what the max advance will be.

I'd suggest that you see what the bushings feel like, if they are OK, I'd just set the end play, and find a set of OEM weights and cam that will give more advance, if that's what's needed. The aftermarket weights/cam are junk, most of the time, IMO.

That said, ultimately you may get better results from a new distributor- the choice is yours.

[Irelands child]

I have found that it is next to impossible to find the shaft bushings if they are bad. Then of course, if the shaft is worn, then it's time for that new distributor anyhow. The weight plate pins can also wear. I would probably go with the MSD. But NOT the Proform based on some poor experiences with other parts.

[Custom10]

You may be surprised to find that these are very well made and you really can't beat the value for the buck

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/...px?Item=6500-R

I have one and its been good no problems, its an off shore knockoff and is very similar to some of the MSD stuff, or is the MSD stuff very similar to these anyhow it has some of us wondering if it is in fact the same thing. Just a note on these, the one I have will not accept the MOROSO mech advance kit as the pins that secure the weights are too large in diameter and won't fit the bushings that come with the kit.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by Custom10

You may be surprised to find that these are very well made and you really can't beat the value for the buck

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/...px?Item=6500-R

I have one and its been good no problems, its an off shore knockoff and is very similar to some of the MSD stuff, or is the MSD stuff very similar to these anyhow it has some of us wondering if it is in fact the same thing. Just a note on these, the one I have will not accept the MOROSO mech advance kit as the pins that secure the weights are too large in diameter and won't fit the bushings that come with the kit.

I'm curious- any idea if the Moroso weights are the same as Mr. Gasket weights? And what about drilling the Moroso weights/cam to the size of the Skip W dist. pins- doable?

[Custom10]

Not sure if the Mr gasket kit would work as I have never seen/used one but good question.

Thing is that as you can see the pins are large and they do not come with bushings (could be a draw back here) but yes I suppose that the weight holes on the MOROSO parts could be drilled to match.

Just to add,,, I have fashioned my own mech adv limiter by using a machine screw with nut/lock washer and took a pic, after some trial and error I ended up with limit of about 13+ deg added via this little trick be it some what bush league, the out of the box mech adv was over 20 ouch. The other screw is just to hold a pointer I fashioned for bench setup to try and determine movement in mm of the rotor due to mech advance then compare that to the actual degree's advance at the crank. It ended up at 17mm travel = approx 13+ deg adv and 21mm = approx 17 deg ,,, not sure if that little experiment holds any water but it was interesting to try.

[adantessr]

Originally Posted by Custom10

You may be surprised to find that these are very well made and you really can't beat the value for the buck

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/...px?Item=6500-R

I have one and its been good no problems, its an off shore knockoff and is very similar to some of the MSD stuff, or is the MSD stuff very similar to these anyhow it has some of us wondering if it is in fact the same thing. Just a note on these, the one I have will not accept the MOROSO mech advance kit as the pins that secure the weights are too large in diameter and won't fit the bushings that come with the kit.

I am using the small cap electronic distributor with remote coil from skip white in my T-bucket due to firewall clearance . Works great . 14 deg mec advance in by 2200 rpm .

[stfinney]

Wow, that is a great price on a distibutor. What mechanical advance does it offer? I am seriously thinking about getting that one.

[stfinney]

Well, good news!! I modified the cam weight a little like I saw it done online and it worked! I am now at 20 degrees mechanical like it should be. The truck runs alot better, but I still need to fine tune it. Thanks for the help.

[adantessr]

Originally Posted by stfinney

Wow, that is a great price on a distibutor. What mechanical advance does it offer? I am seriously thinking about getting that one.

My distributor is advertised as being adjustable but being tuned from the factory to work fine on most applications . Mine runs so good , I didn't fool with it .