I need to swap a computer controlled distributor into my 406 with flat-tappet cam. My understanding is that distributor gear needs to be a specific material depeding whether you have a flat-tappet or roller cam.

So, if I go junkyarding/ebaying, what is an acceptable vehicle to grab one from? TBI Camaro/full-size truck? (87-95?) I'm guessing one from a TPI would be setup for a roller cam?

Thanks,

-Dave

 

All f-bodies had roller cams starting in 1987. Trucks, however, didn't get rollers until the early-mid 90s if I remember correctly..

 

IIRC, a roller cam needs a bronze gear on the distributor, and a regular cam needs just a regular gear. Steel I think.

 

All factory Chevy V8 distributors from the dawn of time (1955) are compatible with flat-tappet cams.

All of them from about 87 up, and from maybe a few years before that, are compatible with typical hydraulic rollers. They started austempering them, which is a process using molten salt as the quenching bath for tempering; "melonizing" is the brand name of the process they used. They look blue.

None of them, ever, from any year, made out of anything, are comaptible with a real roller (steel billet core) unless the cam has a cast-iron dist gear pressed onto it.

 

What style distributor? HEI large cap or HEI 2 with small cap? You can always just by a new gear for a regular cam and put it on your new distributor.

 

If you're using a flat-tappet cam, you don't have to change anything. Whatever gear comes on whatever junkyard distributor you get, will work fine.

 

Thanks guys.

-Dave