CK5
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what distributor?
- Thread starter 89Burben
- Start date
I don't see how any dist could be low/high maintenance. Set the timing and spark advance and then let it rip. What I was refering to was not it wearing out, but rather when something goes wrong, the ability to find replacement parts to get you going again in a rather short time. I'd hate to be stuck on the side of the road/trail trying to find a replacement ignition module for that distributor. May never happen, but it's worth considering. May be an acceptable risk in a corvette that is a play toy, but maybe not so much in a truck that you have to rely on to get you home.
Thunder
3/4 ton status
I have used Unilites in a few vehicles they are a very good dist. I have one in my boat. Never had one fail but I always have a spare module with me just in case. The unilite modules are about twice the price of a stock module.
No matter what kind in dist you have you should have a spare module along.
There is nothing wrong with the stock HEI either it is very dependable and you can get parts anywhere. For a stock or mild 4x4. Stock HEI with a better aftermarket coil (MSD or DUI) would be my first choice.
If you get a MSD dist remove the MSD module and replace it with a stock GM one. Or at least carry a spare. I have found that altho the distributors are quality units, MSD dist modules are prone to failure
No matter what kind in dist you have you should have a spare module along.
There is nothing wrong with the stock HEI either it is very dependable and you can get parts anywhere. For a stock or mild 4x4. Stock HEI with a better aftermarket coil (MSD or DUI) would be my first choice.
If you get a MSD dist remove the MSD module and replace it with a stock GM one. Or at least carry a spare. I have found that altho the distributors are quality units, MSD dist modules are prone to failure
kwissman
1/2 ton status
I would not buy a Mallory Dist. The one in my BB Camaro destroyed itself. I think one of the weights or springs broke loose and all that was left was a lot of shredded metal. I bought a MSD the next time.
Unilites are very sensitive to voltage surges. I wouldn't buy one just on that. A stock HEI with a good aftermarket module is a pretty darned good distributor. The factory had to warranty their parts for at least 36,000 miles and possibly up to 100k. The aftermarket doesn't have to do any of that. Guess who is going to put Engineering time into reliability?
