Working through the tune up of the engine in the truck, something I do with all used vehicles I buy. Next step is the ignition. If the condition of everything else on this truck is any indicator, the distributor is probably original from 1984. So I was curious if there is any benefit to getting an upgraded distributor or if there is a particular model(better spark or more reliable or whatever else) or just sticking with an oreilly's replacement. Was also going to throw some new plugs and wires at it while I'm at it. Engine is just a standard 60 over small block with an RV cam.
CK5
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HEI Distributor upgrade
- Thread starter centexk5
- Start date
Not much can go sour on the HEI's other than maybe the bushings getting sloppy,or the advance weight pins hogging out the holes--but if you were to replace the pick up coil,ignition coil,put a bushing kit in the weights etc,it may end up costing less to buy an aftermarket one..
There really isn't any need for a super duper high output coil,the stock GM ones put out plenty of voltage..I've had a few of those Accel "Super Coils" on older cars with points that caused more grief than good,every time it rained,the plug wires just let the spark jump to ground instead of firing the plugs..putting the original coil back on cured that issue..
There really isn't any need for a super duper high output coil,the stock GM ones put out plenty of voltage..I've had a few of those Accel "Super Coils" on older cars with points that caused more grief than good,every time it rained,the plug wires just let the spark jump to ground instead of firing the plugs..putting the original coil back on cured that issue..
I'm not one of those who buys into the fancy million volt stronger than lightning ignition systems for stock builds. But I don't mind spending $200 to get a decent part. I was looking at the DUI 12720 or a Pertronix flame thrower. I also figure that I'll need a new ignition with the new engine I'm building so might as well go ahead and get that now and transfer it over.
MEMO43
1/2 ton status
I'm running the orileys dist right off the shelve
I DD my k5 an have never had an issue with it.
The hardest part is how much vac the canister adds to be able to dial in total timing,
Mine is an 83 an I omitted all the smog stuff as well as the timing control, when I went with a crate motor form orileys as well.
I DD my k5 an have never had an issue with it.
The hardest part is how much vac the canister adds to be able to dial in total timing,
Mine is an 83 an I omitted all the smog stuff as well as the timing control, when I went with a crate motor form orileys as well.
Kain
3/4 ton status
you dont need to spend 200 bucks on a dizzy , your not racing
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/.../1982/chevrolet/k5-blazer?q=distributor&pos=3
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/.../1982/chevrolet/k5-blazer?q=distributor&pos=3
TreeFarm
Internet fabricator.
If you want a billet "upgraded" distributor with all the adjustable bits you can get a factory "used" Accel distributor on ebay. Sold by Holley used because of damaged packaging. I got one and the box wasn't even damaged.
$35 for everything minus a coil
and $79 for one with their super coil on it.
$35 for everything minus a coil
and $79 for one with their super coil on it.
Surprisingly, the aftermarket cheapies do tend to hold up. Haven't had issues with the one I put in a year ago or so.
Definitely no performance advantage, and given that anything can fail, regardless of price, it doesn't seem this is a part where spending more makes any sense.
I do wonder, if you get a parts store distributor, and it quits working (module, pickup coil, etc), do they just give you a complete new distributor?
Definitely no performance advantage, and given that anything can fail, regardless of price, it doesn't seem this is a part where spending more makes any sense.
I do wonder, if you get a parts store distributor, and it quits working (module, pickup coil, etc), do they just give you a complete new distributor?
Kain
3/4 ton status
Light to light does not count.........
I live my life a quarter mile at a time. For those 5mins, I'm free.
Kain
3/4 ton status
HAHAHAHA
MEMO43
1/2 ton status
@dyeager536 I work at the local Orieleys on Sunday (employee discount)
When someone returns an item under warranty no matter what stop working like you mentioned, they get a new one in exchange.
Way easier in my opinion especially since most parts are in the shelve no waiting for the mail man
When someone returns an item under warranty no matter what stop working like you mentioned, they get a new one in exchange.
Way easier in my opinion especially since most parts are in the shelve no waiting for the mail man
Kain
3/4 ton status
This is why I buy most of my parts from local parts place and get life time warranty, can not beat it.
Window regulator goes out every few years and motor with it. Have em both from oreilys. They hate it but warranty is easy to say it broke get me a new one please
Window regulator goes out every few years and motor with it. Have em both from oreilys. They hate it but warranty is easy to say it broke get me a new one please
T
tenderfoot
Guest
I just got this summit upgrade kit a couple weeks ago. Haven't had time to do it yet though. Don't know when I'll have time.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-850031
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-850031
I'm a big fan of the lifetime warranty parts. I don't pay for brake pads anymore. And I like being able to pick it up when I need it and not wait. But if the parts store stuff is crap (which some is) I'll order it instead. Hence why I started the thread. And the general consensus seems to be that unless I'm running the quarter mile then the parts store stuff is good enough.
I find it hard to believe that (undoubtedly?) chinese distributors work as good as they do. I certainly have my doubts when a "cheap" pickup coil and module will run you easily $60-70, but somehow it seems they pull it off.
Not like it's often, but having a spare distributor isn't necessarily a bad thing. Fuel pump and distributor are the only things that have ever left me stranded, and the distributor is the only one that I could have swapped easily and kept going. I'm starting to become a proponent of carrying a decent amount of easily changed spare parts (distributor, plug wires, fuel pump, water pump, etc) with the older rig, especially the further away from home I get.
Not like it's often, but having a spare distributor isn't necessarily a bad thing. Fuel pump and distributor are the only things that have ever left me stranded, and the distributor is the only one that I could have swapped easily and kept going. I'm starting to become a proponent of carrying a decent amount of easily changed spare parts (distributor, plug wires, fuel pump, water pump, etc) with the older rig, especially the further away from home I get.
Definitely not a bad idea. I don't travel to far out with this one as it only gets, no exaggeration, 5.7mpg so I'm severely range limited to basically the town I live in. I'm hoping a solid tune up will improve things a bit.
I put a complete distributor in my '95 TBI truck, I believe it was a Spectra premium. I know that you are looking at older parts, but the ignition module in this one didn't even last 10 miles. It didn't die, but it was barely running enough to get the truck home. I swapped in the old Delco module and no problem then. I didn't worry about warranty because of buying it from Rock-auto and I had heard from a buddy that his from the parts store went out even faster.
What I would suggest is pulling the module out of the old one to carry as a spare. I swapped mine out in minutes without pulling the distributor, so you could as well and get home.
What I would suggest is pulling the module out of the old one to carry as a spare. I swapped mine out in minutes without pulling the distributor, so you could as well and get home.
The OEM Ac-Delco 4 prong modules have a dwell advance circuit that many cheapie aftermarket ones lack,and it does make a noticeable difference in driveability and performance..
I always carried either a complete spare HEI distributor or at least a spare module & coil in my vehicles that had HEI...only had to use the module once..my van never had any HEI problems,mostly because it would be so easy to pull the distributor out or replace the module or coil , while sitting in the drivers seat..my '72 K5 is what ate a module,that wasn't a pleasant roadside swap!..the HEI was so close to the firewall,I had to bash it in a bit to let the cap go on it!..
I always carried either a complete spare HEI distributor or at least a spare module & coil in my vehicles that had HEI...only had to use the module once..my van never had any HEI problems,mostly because it would be so easy to pull the distributor out or replace the module or coil , while sitting in the drivers seat..my '72 K5 is what ate a module,that wasn't a pleasant roadside swap!..the HEI was so close to the firewall,I had to bash it in a bit to let the cap go on it!..
Laziness, a beer, and free one day shipping and I've got a new distributor//plug wires//pigtail for power and tach on the way.
