I am converting my 83 Z28 to a non-computer controlled car, and I got what looks to be a vaccum advance distributor. The problem is that the distributor has a plug similar to the computer controlled one I pulled out of the car. Will this thing work?

 

Does it have mechanical and vacuum advance? Twist the rotor while holding the gear. If it twists a little and springs back it has mechanical advance.

If so it can be used, but you have to connect two of the wires on the 4 wire connector. Some of those distributors werent actually computer controlled. The 4 wire connector went to an ESC module that modified the ignition signal to retard timing, then sent it back to the distributor to fire the coil. One of the 4 wires is the module output, another is the input. The other 2 were power and ground(i think). You need to find a wiring diagram or somebody who remembers which 2 then just cut and connect them.

I havent tried this, but I think it would work as well. Get an older hei module and replace the current 6 prong module with a 4 prong. Then toss the 4 wire harness. This may take another harness as well. Not sure because I havent tried it and dont have one to look at.

 

It DOES spring back into place. And it already has a 4-prong harness, so I'll just have to figure out which wires are the power and the ground. Thanks for the help. BTW,is the 4-prong harness the only difference between this distributor and one from a 75-80 motor?