What cars will have the distributor that I need? And will I need to take some wires or any lines with me? What years were computer contralled and which weren't. A friend in town has an 84 camaro Berlinetta and he says I can have what I want off of it. Thanks for any help.

 

The '84 will have a computer controlled distributor. Pass.

Let's say you find a used vacuum/mechanical advance distributor for $20. Most likely it's not in very good shape, so you get a cap & rotor for it - you want one with brass terminals instead of the cheap aluminum. Another $25.

Factory HEI's are known for weak control modules. The MSD part is $70, but you can get the ok Accel for $35.

Okay, factory HEI coils are weak. The MSD part is $70.

Blown vacuum advance diaphragms are common. $15 for an adjustable.

You've got a minimum of $160 in a used distributor that may have other problems like a fried pick-up coil or trigger wheel that's lost its magnetism. You could spend less, but upgrading the factory HEI will at least involve the module and coil, and getting Auto Zone replacement parts isn't going to help much.

You can get a brand new Proform HEI distributor with all new parts for $160. Or Summit version for $150.

Why buy used?

The wires you need are the positive wire on your existing coil to the HEI Batt terminal, and tach wire to the HEI Tach terminal.

 

When I did my TBI to carb swap this is the distributor I used.

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...86&prmenbr=361

Part number : 778-66941R

It is $159.99 but its complete. Everything from the pickup, coil, cap, everything.

I've had it for a year and its doing fine.

 

seeing i've been working in the auto/parts industry for the last few years, i got a decent hook-up on my distributor. i got one for i think a 78 camaro (rebuilt, not new) for $50+core. seeing how i bought a non-working core for $15, i spent under $100 for the distro.

 

Yea I work at a autoparts store also. We have reman. distributors but I went ahead and got the proform. Either way you should be ok.

 

I think I'll just save my money for an MSD or some aftermarket Distrubutor or either find one cheap on Ebay. Thanks.

 

The proform one I listed below is cheap, all brand new parts,....I have almost 1.5 years and 15k miles on one with no problems.