Big block distributor replacement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chucks72Longbed · 02-22-2015, 09:28 PM

Hello everyone. What are you guys running for a distributor on a 402 BigBlock. I picked this up a couple months ago and it needed a tune up so I got into it today and found the distributor is worn out. It's the stock points distributor. It has side to side slop in it and the shaft moves up and down 3/8" to 1/2". I'm trying to decide whether or not to go HEI or just replace with a stock distributor. I don't want to spend a fortune but I appreciate your input. Here's a photo of "Earl".

**kwmech** · 02-22-2015, 09:39 PM

For my 396 I grabbed an HEI off a 350 and wired it in

Chucks72Longbed · 02-22-2015, 09:43 PM

I didn't realize small block and big block distributors were the same.

hugger6933 · 02-22-2015, 10:04 PM

Yes the small block dist and the big block dist. are the same piece so don't let a counter man try to jack you a Summit or Jegs sales book can confirm this real quick if it will make you feel better. You can pick up HEI's off E-Bay in the less than $100 bucks range. Jim

hugger6933 · 02-22-2015, 10:05 PM

Oh, nice truck by the way, love those big blocks. Jim

Chucks72Longbed · 02-22-2015, 10:07 PM

Thanks Jim for the compliment and the info. I was just looking into that. I decided to use the search at the top of the page and found lots of info.

mechanicalman · 02-22-2015, 10:24 PM

Take your pick.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...I&_sacat=33687

Just run a new hot wire from the fuse block "ign unfused" to the HEI.

Get a pigtail. Again, take your pick.
http://www.summitracing.com/search?S...=hei%20pigtail

Use 12ga wire from the pigtail to the fuse block.

cla511 · 02-23-2015, 01:19 PM

I have a DUI on my 402 and have been very happy with it. When you buy it you tell them what you have and what your set-up and they go from there.

http://performancedistributors.com/

i82much · 02-23-2015, 01:53 PM

Dave's small body HEI gets good reviews. I run a stock points distributor converted over to a Crane XRI module, which gives you a rev limiter function and eliminates the points.

If $ isn't a concern, the MSD ready to run is a great option that allows you to adjust not only the spring rates to bring the curve in when you want, but also has a changeable advance stop bushing that allows you to limit the mechanical advance to different amounts depending on which bushing you use.

Chucks72Longbed · 02-23-2015, 04:00 PM

Great info! Thanks guys

02-22-2015, 09:28 PM	#1
Chucks72Longbed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Sedro Woolley Washington Posts: 86	Big block distributor replacement Hello everyone. What are you guys running for a distributor on a 402 BigBlock. I picked this up a couple months ago and it needed a tune up so I got into it today and found the distributor is worn out. It's the stock points distributor. It has side to side slop in it and the shaft moves up and down 3/8" to 1/2". I'm trying to decide whether or not to go HEI or just replace with a stock distributor. I don't want to spend a fortune but I appreciate your input. Here's a photo of "Earl". Attached Images __________________ 72 Chevy C20 LWB-Just what I always wanted. Now, just need more time and money!

02-22-2015, 09:39 PM	#2
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,659	Re: Big block distributor replacement For my 396 I grabbed an HEI off a 350 and wired it in

02-22-2015, 09:43 PM	#3
Chucks72Longbed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Sedro Woolley Washington Posts: 86	Re: Big block distributor replacement I didn't realize small block and big block distributors were the same. __________________ 72 Chevy C20 LWB-Just what I always wanted. Now, just need more time and money!

02-22-2015, 10:04 PM	#4
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Big block distributor replacement Yes the small block dist and the big block dist. are the same piece so don't let a counter man try to jack you a Summit or Jegs sales book can confirm this real quick if it will make you feel better. You can pick up HEI's off E-Bay in the less than $100 bucks range. Jim

02-22-2015, 10:05 PM	#5
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Big block distributor replacement Oh, nice truck by the way, love those big blocks. Jim

02-22-2015, 10:07 PM	#6
Chucks72Longbed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Sedro Woolley Washington Posts: 86	Re: Big block distributor replacement Thanks Jim for the compliment and the info. I was just looking into that. I decided to use the search at the top of the page and found lots of info. __________________ 72 Chevy C20 LWB-Just what I always wanted. Now, just need more time and money!

02-22-2015, 10:24 PM	#7
mechanicalman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Glendale, Arizna Posts: 1,642	Re: Big block distributor replacement Take your pick. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...I&_sacat=33687 Just run a new hot wire from the fuse block "ign unfused" to the HEI. Get a pigtail. Again, take your pick. http://www.summitracing.com/search?S...=hei%20pigtail Use 12ga wire from the pigtail to the fuse block.

02-23-2015, 01:19 PM	#8
cla511 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Alabama Posts: 50	Re: Big block distributor replacement I have a DUI on my 402 and have been very happy with it. When you buy it you tell them what you have and what your set-up and they go from there. http://performancedistributors.com/ __________________ 1972 C10 Cheyenne 402/TH350 1985 GMC 1500 Sierra Classic 350/700R 1986 K20 427/NV4500 1986 K20 Sub 406/TH400 "Life's tough.....It's enough tougher if your stupid." John Wayne

02-23-2015, 01:53 PM	#9
i82much Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bowie, MD Posts: 313	Re: Big block distributor replacement Dave's small body HEI gets good reviews. I run a stock points distributor converted over to a Crane XRI module, which gives you a rev limiter function and eliminates the points. If $ isn't a concern, the MSD ready to run is a great option that allows you to adjust not only the spring rates to bring the curve in when you want, but also has a changeable advance stop bushing that allows you to limit the mechanical advance to different amounts depending on which bushing you use.

02-23-2015, 04:00 PM	#10
Chucks72Longbed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Sedro Woolley Washington Posts: 86	Re: Big block distributor replacement Great info! Thanks guys __________________ 72 Chevy C20 LWB-Just what I always wanted. Now, just need more time and money!



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