Anyone using the TA "ready to run" distributor? If so how do you like it? I ordered myself one and waiting for it.
I haven't used one of TA's, but the MSD RTR stuff is absolute garbage. Personally went through 4 of them for my F100, buddy put one on his Mustang and Impala. All quit. We did put a Summit generic RTR on the Mustang, worked fine, pretty bad when Chinamese sheet works better than MSD!!
I have seen a lot of bad reviews on jegs and summit on the MSD. I took it as maybe some bad experiences from partly bad hardware and maybe bad install. The negative stuff was from a few years ago, so maybe a bad period of time for them? Hopefully the TA unit is reliable.
I ordered and purchased the Pro Billet from TA but was inadvertantly sent the ready to run. Only difference is the internals. Got the new internals sent and did the swap . No problems. Only Issue I see is the new dist is about an inch taller which interferes with the GS air cleaner. Now I have to make a new thicker base gasket to raise everything up a bit to clear
The MSD RTR distributors use a module, but they can be used to fire an ignition box. I expect the TA version can do the same.
I have installed and now run the distributor. Put about 30 miles on. Install is straight forward. I have the vaccum advance limited about 10 degrees. I do not like the male cap so I installed a points cap (it fits "backwards" so the window faces engine). The billet distributor body is not noticeable (I find to be a good thing). The chart shows advance curves and bushing limits, my choice gives me 14* at idle and 34* all in at about 3000ish. I have no choke and notice now the car will idle cold easier and require less "feathering" of the pedal. Starting is immediate Driving seems the same as I didn't really have ignition issues. I like that I can run a box if I feel like I need or want to. Overall, so far, I like the distributor and feel it was a good purchase. I'll report my impressions as I use it more.
I've out more miles in. My first impressions are still the same. Works great and was easy to install. The only thing I did do was change the vaccum advance to a B26 unit and cut a starter shim to make a limiter for 10° of advance. I would give this unit a "thumbs up" for anyone who needs a well-priced easy to adjust distributor.
