jmiller

I have an intermetent problem with my distributor in my 87' IROC. I'm looking at buying anew Cardone distributor from Kragens'. Price is reasonable for new not rebuilt $200.00.
Is this a trust worthy brand?


Also, I thought the problem was my fuel pump (it wasn't holding pressure after you turn the ign off) so I went a ahead and changed it, pressure holds now but it didn't solve my problem.
Get THIS: I've owned my 87' IROC since 1992. I bought the car from the original 1st owner. He never had a problem with the car.

I have 271,300 miles on this 21 year old car with the original fuel pump!!!!
Let's see someone beat that!!! Also the rear-end and 700-R4 trans has never failed!!!

scribbles

I bet the pressue problem is either bad injectors or small leak in the FPR. Pull the vac line on the FPR and see if you smell gass.

vindeezl

iTrader: (2)

John,
You have reached some awesome milestiones there buddy, I wish I could have all the goodies and bought the car from the original owner, I have to be like the 5th and final owner of my car. But my car has ~118k on it ('87 IROC here too).

I've bought Cardone before, if it is new I would say it would be fine but at $200 I would consider other options such as an AC Delco new and I've heard good things about the MSD billet for TPI cars, but personally don't like MSD much.

You should swap out the Fuel Pressure Regulator for an adjustable one, that and your filter of course. With those kind of miles you might consider crud in the lines also and Seafoam / replace them.

87tpi

iTrader: (5)

Is yours a remote coil? I have an MSD with incap coil I'll sell for 155 shipped. Never run.

fryer1979

maybe I might have missed something in the conversation here, but what is your intermitant distributor problem?

tshack

jmiller

I went through the fuel pressure testing and it led to the fuel pump being the culprit, and it was, cause now it doesn't leak down. But it didn't fix the problem I'm having with the motor dieing.

I already have a TPIS adj. FPR since 1998. And was planning on rebuilding it if the pressure still leaked down, but it doesn't leak down now. I didn't mind changing the fuel pump because I've been waiting for it to die for the past 10 years. I bought a new GM fuel pump for it back in 1998.
I had all my injectors blueprinted 4 years ago by TPIS when I installed my 383 with AFR heads.

The motor will start and run for a few seconds then immediately starts missfiring and backfiring and dies, if I have the rpms above 2000 I can keep it running, after a few seconds, it starts running good. Then it happens again and again.
I don't get a trouble code which pretty much tells me it's the distributor. I've never replaced it either except of course the rotor and cap. I'm also going to replace the coil.
It's not the ESC either, I plugged in a new one I keep in stock.

The car has the distributor without a coil in it.
I looked at MSD and it's over $300.00
My first choice was Delco but TPIS doesn't sell a delco anymore.
Kragen's sells a new Cardone for $200.00, I was hoping someone would know if their distributor is good.
Thanks guys
john

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

ive installed cardone new components, they seem to be pretty good. ive never had any problems with them.

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

same.

jmiller

Thanks Guys!! That's what I'll get then.

The other day I was thinking about how many Camaros I've owned.
1. 69' Z-28 bought new
2. 68' S.S. 396 restored it in 1984
3. 67' restored it for my oldest son in 1988
4. 85' v-6 5-speed bought in 1990 gave to my daughter
5. 87' IROC 1992 mine still have
6. 89 RS v-6 ex-wife 1994
7. 89 RS v-6 1996 daughter she wrecked the 85' not her fault
8. 67' 1998 mine still have
9. 98' Z-28 company leased it for me
Hated 2nd gens so I never owned one, sorry!

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

id own a 2nd gen if it was smog exempt, preferably a 70-73 split bumper. but i like 1st and 3rd gens most, but id love to have an ss with a ls1 in it.

fryer1979

I will agree that the quality of the cardone new parts is reliable, and often better than stock. However, I would try replacing the coil first. It is a much cheaper part, and less time consuming to replace. Cracked or damaged components of the coil could cause the symptoms you describe.

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

only thing your gonna have to check or change would be the dist drive gear if you have a roller cam, just use your old one if you do.

but cardone is pretty good brand think it comes with a lifetime warranty that msd distributor is an awesome unit i love it its very sturdy built.

fryer1979

wouldn't a drive gear issue cause more of a constant issue rather than the intermitent problem he described? That is kind of what I am thinking with the whole distributor too. At this point in ignition systems the distributor is little more than just a rotating assembly, the spark in more controlled by the electronics in the car. It could be possible though that a bearing/bushing is worn inside the distributor causing a funny wobble or vibration and the points on the rotor not coming in contact with the cap.

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

no if you get a new distributor gear most of them come with a standard iron gear, so if you have a factory roller cam or aftermarket you need one with a melonized gear or brass gear. so i was suggesting he change the gear if he does have a roller cam

jmiller

I found out a few days ago that Pace Performance sells a factory GM Delco distributor without the coil in the cap for 87-98 GM vehicles. This would of coarse have the correct gear for roller cams!!! $198.00, I ordered one today includes rotor and cap!!!.
The culprit for my problem is the EST controller in the dist. I could rebuild the dist. but it's 22 years old and time for a new one. I don't want to worry about it again for another 20 years. Also I have had coils go bad, but when they do it doesn't cause the kind of problem I'm getting. This problem is so intermintent, I can't get it to do it again, but I am not driving the car till I replace the dist. and coil!!
Thanks again guys.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

ok well if the part # for the cardone is the same for the tbi camaros as the trucks then you should change the gear but being it is an aftermarket replacement for a stock componennt it should have a bronze gear already on it. But i did just check the numbers and they are the same, so id agree you prolly have to change the gear. but you already went a different way so good for you.

fryer1979

Ok I'm trackin with ya now. I was pretty tired when I read you first post, and didn't quite get what you were saying. Got it now.