1970 c10 distributor upgrade recommendations

[Auroch]

Hello good people, so I’m swapping engines currently and I figured I should also change my distributor, I’d like to upgrade to an HEI. Any tips I should be aware of? Brands? Thanks in advance.

Engine: 350 5.7L v8

[Shinysideup]

There are many out there but my advise is buy name brand not the cheap knock-off versions for longevity. Whats your engine setup/intentions?

[Auroch]

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

There are many out there but my advise is buy name brand not the cheap knock-off versions for longevity. Whats your engine setup/intentions?

Yeah I definitely want to get something decent. So the new engine is a 350 class 1 crate rated at 305hp, edelbrock 1406 carb over 2701 intake manifold.

[geezer#99]

Is the intended 350 a one or two piece rear main seal?

[crabman]

Look at Skip White Performance in TN. They have billet HEI for a very good price. I bought one for my 69 C10 396 and was amazed at the quality and price. Works like a champ too. 65K volt coil and brass terminals in cap and rotor, all while being machined billet.

[Auroch]

Originally Posted by crabman

Look at Skip White Performance in TN. They have billet HEI for a very good price. I bought one for my 69 C10 396 and was amazed at the quality and price. Works like a champ too. 65K volt coil and brass terminals in cap and rotor, all while being machined billet.

Man $50!? That may be tough to beat.

[Auroch]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Is the intended 350 a one or two piece rear main seal?

Man, you got me there. What’s the difference?

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Auroch

Man, you got me there. What’s the difference?

The drive gear on the distributor.
Usually the one piece has a roller cam which needs a melonized gear.

[68 P.O.S.]

No, don't even bother with Skip White. You get what you pay for with that cheap crap. You definitely want a HEI and one with an adjustable vacuum advance. What's your budget for it?

[Auroch]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

No, don't even bother with Skip White. You get what you pay for with that cheap crap. You definitely want a HEI and one with an adjustable vacuum advance. What's your budget for it?

Yeah, $50 is suspiciously cheap in comparison to what I’ve seen. I’d like to stay under $150, but I’m open to suggestions.

[Auroch]

Any thoughts on this one? Seems like a good value.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850001-1

[Shinysideup]

Originally Posted by Auroch

Any thoughts on this one? Seems like a good value.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850001-1

Thats no name junk.
Im using this style https://www.summitracing.com/parts/d...make/chevrolet
Check your appication.

[Auroch]

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

Thats no name junk.
Im using this style https://www.summitracing.com/parts/d...make/chevrolet
Check your appication.

A little pricey, any significant advantages?

[hjewell2]

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

Thats no name junk.
Im using this style https://www.summitracing.com/parts/d...make/chevrolet
Check your appication.

those are the best but thinking he is not using for performance.

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by Auroch

Any thoughts on this one? Seems like a good value.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850001-1

That's the exact unit I have in my c10 350.
Clears the firewall no prob on install and works great 2 years now

[Boog]

Check your local parts store or Summit or Jegs for whats available. You should be able to buy a GM hei for $125 or so and be able to buy parts most anywhere when needed. Hard to beat.
I bought one of those skip whites for $50 a few years ago for a fresh 350. Its pretty alright. The engine ran in the shop only as the truck is not road ready yet and the module went bad with only some hours run time on it. I pulled the
module from the old OE hei and put in the SW. It still hasn’t made it to the road but it still starts every time.

[hjewell2]

Not going to preach, but ya get what ya pay for.. stay away from MSD crap.

[Auroch]

Any thoughts on this one? Seems like a good value.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850001-1

[crabman]

Do your research. If you are basing your opinion on the price and haven't seen or held his HEI you are uninformed. Skip White's HEI is vacuum advance and it's NOT cheap crap!! It even comes with a lifetime warranty. Look at the reviews and Youtube on it. Or don't, freedom of choice.

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

No, don't even bother with Skip White. You get what you pay for with that cheap crap. You definitely want a HEI and one with an adjustable vacuum advance. What's your budget for it?

[Myoldtruck]

I picked up a brand new gm heI that came out of a new crate motor. Craigs list for 75.00. I use it every day no problems.

[HO455]

If your set on HEI then I would get a Factory GM unit and have it rebuilt and curved by a competent rebuilder. The factory units are good just not as shiney and none of the aftermarket ones will come curved for you truck. So new or used you would still want to have the unit's advance curve dialed in for your combination. I've bought dozens of used HEI's for between 5 and 40 bucks.

[AussieinNC]

Before you buy a new distributor, you should determine if the new 350 engine you are installing has a flat tappet or roller cam installed....

Roller cam engines, require a melonised distributor gear be installed on the distributor shaft.

Sure, you can buy any distributor and install a melonised gear, but why not buy the correct unit first up...

So may be a good idea to decide on the engine first, then worry about the incidentials....

IMO, unless I am performing a true back to factory original build, I usually go with a later model Vortec style engine...roller cam, one piece rear main seal, and less wear generally.

Anyhoo....have fun...

[jamyers]

Originally Posted by Myoldtruck

I picked up a brand new gm heI that came out of a new crate motor. Craigs list for 75.00. I use it every day no problems.

Can't argue with that approach!

btw, I've been using a Skip White hei in our daily driver for nearly 2 years now with zero issues - fwiw.

[68 P.O.S.]

Originally Posted by crabman

Do your research. If you are basing your opinion on the price and haven't seen or held his HEI you are uninformed. Skip White's HEI is vacuum advance and it's NOT cheap crap!! It even comes with a lifetime warranty. Look at the reviews and Youtube on it. Or don't, freedom of choice.

I'm well informed. Not only have I seen and held one, but I've thrown one in the trash. I bought one, even though I was warned not to and had seen some informative posts here. So fresh out of the box and on my work bench, the cap cracks as I take it off for the first time to install a curve kit. Fine, I'll use my old cap. I open it up and the weights are ungreased and their casting is terrible. Looks very suspect, but I give it a shot. I install it, correctly, and the truck won't fire. After checking everything for the 6th time, I pull a plug and fire it, and there's no arc. Instead, the filament glows like its a diesel glow plug. I pull it out again and check the electronics. Terrible quality. It's all cheap Chinese junk. That's how he can sell them so cheaply. I promptly tossed it and and bought an Accel. Still using it today, properly curved and everything. No thank you on that lifetime warranty. I don't want a turd for life.

[slikside]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

I'm well informed. Not only have I seen and held one, but I've thrown one in the trash. I bought one, even though I was warned not to and had seen some informative posts here. So fresh out of the box and on my work bench, the cap cracks as I take it off for the first time to install a curve kit. Fine, I'll use my old cap. I open it up and the weights are ungreased and their casting is terrible. Looks very suspect, but I give it a shot. I install it, correctly, and the truck won't fire. After checking everything for the 6th time, I pull a plug and fire it, and there's no arc. Instead, the filament glows like its a diesel glow plug. I pull it out again and check the electronics. Terrible quality. It's all cheap Chinese junk. That's how he can sell them so cheaply. I promptly tossed it and and bought an Accel. Still using it today, properly curved and everything. No thank you on that lifetime warranty. I don't want a turd for life.

Manufacturing defects can and do happen with any brand, but I have had a Skip White installed for about 4 years now, and it has been flawless.