Help me with this Distributor

[CVA59]

Ok guys, I have this distributor from what i think is a 96 Chevy truck. I want to use it in my 64. I have nothing else with it. Can you tell what all i will need to get this distributor to work?
Thanks

[protrash64]

One port looks like the coil. The other may be for some electronic spark control. Maybe an MSD or similar would run it? Too much hassle for me

[Bugeyev8]

that is a late computer controlled dist, no way to run it without the ecu, there are no advance weights or vac advance on those

[pmkrew]

Just doin some information hunting and it appears it has computer controlled timing curves with a fail safe built into the module. Not sure how to make it work, maybe some marine application use them with a different module...

May be better off to see if MSD has a way to make this work with their box...

[Rich 5150 69]

You`re best bang for your buck right now is
http://www.msdignition.com/Products/...stributor.aspx

You can get them cheaper at summit....

[CVA59]

I was afraid of that. I cannot use the hei, i am running a tunnel ram. What do you guys know about these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-B...mZ350438447837

[Rich 5150 69]

Wish I could help there, never heard of them, or this...
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...oductId=772089

[Rich 5150 69]

Nevermind that won`t work either....

[Rich 5150 69]

Ok lets try this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-8361/?rtype=10

[fleetsidelarry]

I'm running one of the skip white small cap distributors shown in your link on my '48 with 3 dueces and one of his regular HEIs in my '66. A friend of mine is also running a skip white regular cap HEI in his 454 powered '62 suburban. They seem fine for daily driving.

I think it depends on what you're running the tunnel ram for. If you're taking it to the strip you may want something better.

[Rannos]

My brother gave me one of the cheap distributors from ebay store for my truck and it didn't last a week before it died on me. Don't think I would trust any of them. Every ebay store you look at selling them says "Our's is better then their's" when the truth is they all use the same supplier.

[CVA59]

Wow, Thanks for the good info guys. I am only running the tunnel ram for looks. Just for cruising around town. I really can't afford one of those high dollar MSD although i am sure they are the best out there. I would consider it if i were gonna be racing but, for my purposes i need something economical that i can run with the T/R.

[Captainfab]

If you have an old points distributor, I would look inot one of the electrionic conversions for it. That's about the least expensive way to get a small cap electronic distributor. Once in a while you can find a good deal on a good used aftermarket distributor on ebay. I would stay away from the chinese ebay distributors.

[CVA59]

Thanks Fab. Who sells the conversions kits?

[fleetsidelarry]

Accel, Mallory, and Pertronix all make conversion kits. I have ran the pertronix kit with no problems and can recommend them. I'm sure the others are equally good.

The e-bay distributor deals are so inexpensive that you can buy two and carry a spare.

unfortunately, you haven't gotten enough feedback pro or con for a valid sample.

I China-bash too, but I don't know where the components in some of the conversion kits are made (mallory's ad in Summit says USA), or the electronics of an MSD, or even an OEM distributor, for that matter. They might be made in China, for the most part, hard to find anything that isn't, anymore.

[CVA59]

I hear ya Larry. I have been reading some about these ebay dist. on other hot rod forums. Most of those guy have some good things to say about them. They also say that most of the MSD stuff is made in china also. So, i am not sure what to think about it, LOL.

[fleetsidelarry]

Zack, ever since my OEM distributor quit on a road trip, I've worried about the same thing happening again. My Skip White's are both working fine so far (knock on wood) but if one were to quit I don't know if I could run to Auto Zone, etc. and get the parts to fix on the road. I was serious about "being so cheap you can carry a spare" although I haven't bought back-ups yet. Skip White advertizes that they stock components for their units so that might be another way to go.

You would have the same problem with parts if any of the other suggested units were to fail.

You can't buy a conversion kit for the price of the Skip White, and his units do carry a warranty but, of course, warranties don't help at the time of a failure.

I don't worry about it locally, but when I go somewhere 100-200 miles away I'd like to be able to fix it quick myself, if possible.

[CVA59]

My truck will only be driven locally uptown to cruise night and back home again. I am sure the Skip White stuff would be fine for my app. I feel like you do, if i were to travel then i would have spares of everything. I may just give his stuff a try. After all if it is junk, i won't have much money involved.

[Rich 5150 69]

Here you go guys food for thought, go find yourself a good old style dizzy, and a mopar an convert your own....I have done it and it works great.

http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/wgmumaw/...Conversion.htm

And
http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/GM_7pinHEI.htm

The four pin connector is the norm for our use..

[CVA59]

Thanks Rich. I will look into it for sure.

[pmkrew]

IMO; Look for a good used MSD box and dist., theyre plentiful and pretty much bullet proof.