I’m looking for some thoughts on distributors. I currently have a Mallory Unilite that has given me no problems over the past 10-12 years, but now that I am trying to calm down the car, I find that I would prefer a distributor that has a provision for vacuum advance, something the Unilite does not. I am looking at various offerings, but right now I think either the Pertronics or the Performance Distributors DUI seem to be my best option. I would like to get opinions on these and any others that you might have in your own car. I know that MSD is a favorite, but I really don’t want to deal with separate control boxes and complicated wiring.

I would also like some thoughts on firewall and air cleaner clearance with the HEI type of dists. The Unilite has the traditional smaller cap, and is still pretty close to both the firewall and the air cleaner base (14” diameter Moroso, no drop base). What problems might present themselves if I choose the HEI style footprint? Thanks for any info.

I use the high performance HEI distributor from GM that comes with their high perf engines. After having trouble with a billet ecurve from msd, i went the safe route and never turned back. i have no clearance issues with a 14" aircleaner. I think its the best bang for the buck before going with all the external boxes.

Buy a new GM unit. I believe they are under $200. SHould last you 20 years.

MSD , GM Perf or a HEI thats rebuilt.

$100 ready to run Pro Comp HEI from speedway works great.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/1688,403_Blueprinted-HEI-Distributor.html

$110 all new HEI from comp products, with adjustable vac advance
http://www.competitionproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=66950

I’m looking for some thoughts on distributors. I currently have a Mallory Unilite that has given me no problems over the past 10-12 years, but now that I am trying to calm down the car, I find that I would prefer a distributor that has a provision for vacuum advance, something the Unilite does not.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MAA%2D4748201&N=700+4294908216+115&autoview=sku


http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/maa-4748201_w.jpg

I like my Mallory, will fit a 14" Air cleaner. They can be had for around $120 new if you shop. Ebay has several speed shops that sell and they are not remans.

I have run an MSD "ready-to-run" distributor since 1994 with no problems. It features a small cap, vacuum advance, and an incredibly simple two-wire hookup (one lead to coil +, the other to coil -). It can also be easily hooked up to a 6AL ignition module, but that is not a requirement.

It looks like the current version (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MSD%2D8360&N=700+115&autoview=sku) of this distributor is very similar to the one I have, exept they now use three wires (a separate ground was added) -- still very simple.

I know you were leaning away from MSD, but you still might want to consider this particular model.

The conventional HEI will fit fine with a 14" aircleaner i na 2nd gen. For a street car they are pretty hard to beat. Dependable and tough.

The MSD ready to run is the next in line. Basically a pro-billet with a self contained module. Soild, hi-quality, used a conventional sized dist cap.


I would stay away from the newer Mallory stuff, really bad QC on the unilite moduled built in the last 10 years.

I was looking at the msd ready to run and was wondering what tach drive means? It said it doesn't have a tach drive according to the summit website.

If it's talking about a mechanical tach drive, that's for the very early chevy's (like 50's Corvettes) that used a cable- like your speedometer cable- to run the in-dash tachometer. Distributors with the tach cable drive are usually significantly more expensive.

If it's talking about a mechanical tach drive, that's for the very early chevy's (like 50's Corvettes) that used a cable- like your speedometer cable- to run the in-dash tachometer. Distributors with the tach cable drive are usually significantly more expensive.

thanks