Engine internals have all been replaced & rotary balanced to stock. Distributor has bent shaft & needs to be replaced. I'm dizzy looking at HEI,MSD & remember seeing a gentlemen selling a special distributor he builds special for nailheads. This will be in my 36 resto rod. Looking for advice/suggestions/comments on which replacement is easiest & best to use. Thanks Al T.
The "Special" distributor is an HEI unit converted using Chevy parts. Depending on how close to the firewall the engine sits it most likely will NOT fit. I have used distributors, OR, I could rebuild/recurve & install a one wire "Electronic" conversion. The distributors I have will NOT have bent shafts. Tom T.
Your best value for the money,,, is either a bone stock dist. that is cleaned up and taken to good stock specs... or.... a stock dist. that has been ''tricked out '' by some one like Tom who really knows what he is doing.... I dont see any advantage to any of the aftermarket dizzys other than they look pretty.....:Brow::Brow: and they should seeing how much they cost.....:Brow::Brow:
You didn't mention a budget....but like Doc said, a stock distributor with a good curve will perform well. The '63 and earlier Dynaflow models have specs similar to the 2x4 dizzys.... they run with more initial advance, which will work well with a light street rod. You can use points to trigger an aftermarket CD ignition such as a MSD or Mallory for multiple sparks or electronic control such as programmable retard, rpm limiter, or rpm activated switches to trigger everything from shift lights to nitrous systems. Electronic conversions (points replacement) often offer features like a rpm limiter and won't need periodic adjustment like points would. MSD's are nice, but aren't cheap, and you have to set them up. If you want 'easiest and best' buy one that is set up to your specs by a knowledgeable Nailhead guy like Tom.
I will second all the stuff Walt said,,,,:laugh::Brow: When I spend money, I like for it to make a real difference.... the dizzy is one place where you can goof.... a real well set up stocker will perform just as good as one of the high dollar aftermarkets for a whole lot less money.... be carefull here, in this area.....:Brow:
BTW, I have a new distributor that Tom built for me in my car - I had one that Carmen built that I was happy with, but Tom asked to take a whack at it and see if it would perform better. I'll know more next week (and detail the phlispohical differences between the two) but so far it feels VERY strong in the lower ranges. It would be a great start for anyone to pick up a cheap core on e-bay and send it to Tom. Great improvement for short money. I like Pertronix ignition sets for the rev limiter, but plenty of people running good points with no complaints.
It all depends all on the owner and what you want out of your rod. Stay away from the big cap HEI on Ebay.. i have ran into all kinds of weird issues like they have the wrong gear, sit to deep , hit the intake , internal shorts.. For a stock looking distributor i really liked the Pertronics and they work great. No worries if you leave the key on and no adjusting or burning up points. I run a MSD unit and it throws a SERIOUS spark!! been hit by it and it is no joke. MSD box is over $300, dist was over $300 and i bought msd blaster coil and wires.. Msd is not cheap but i am very happy with the adjustibilty. A gd dist guy can make a stocker perform well and set up right adjustment will be minimal. What does it cost to have Tom set up a dist? i think pertronics was under $100 and being able to send it out after to have the curve you want.
I have Toms set up in my stock 1965 401ci nailhead after 300 miles it went bad and problem is there are no replacement modules available at the present time. I went this way for dependability but now thinking Pertronics might be the way to go based on availability of replacement parts. I'm confused as to which Pertronics unit to get as I'm only looking for street application and its in a 36 Buick coupe weighing 3,100#. Russ Martin says stay away from Pertronix cheap unit and I don't know how many bells & whistles I need for my usage. Mainly looking for dependability - which unit to get???
I used an MSD. The distributor in my 425 looked like it had been sitting out in a field for a decade, probably because it had been sitting out in a field for a decade. I have had the MSD for the better part of ten years with no issues.
I have been calling ALL the suppliers in the U.S. that kept this unit in stock & as of yesterday NO ONE had any. They, as of the moment, are NOT on back order any longer. I have a call into the MAIN GUY & waiting for his call back.. I have been using these units for 12+ years & NEVER a problem. Like I said, just put points & condenser in it until I can get this resolved for you. I'm tryin' I have NOT forgotten. Even tho I sold you this unit & it hasn't been used up until now it's been 6 yrs. I don't know what the answer will be. Did you install a resister in line??? It doesn't operate on a full 12 volts this could be the problem also. Tom T.
I use a Pertronix III in all my junk and have never had a problem. Make sure to run a full 12v if you ever use one.
I have MSD’s in 3 of the cars and stock in the other 2. All are trouble free. If I encounter a problem with one of the stock units it will get sent to Tom.
