How many RPMs can the stock distributor handle? I am thinking on running the motor up to 7500 and not sure what to expect from the distributor as far as breaking up.

Please do not flame this post. I shift the car now at 7000 and just went to a bigger cam for this season with a higher power band.

 

If I were going to rev that high I wouldn't even bother finding out what the stock distributor could handle, as I sure even if it could handle it it wouldn't offer as much energy as a full aftermarket unit like MSD or Pertronix... what have you.

Just my opinion - sorry I have no clue when the stock unit cuts outs.

 

The stock distributor can't handle that RPM for long. I had a friend in college miss a shift and hit 7,500 RPM on a rebuilt L98 swapped into his '88 GTA. The distributor shaft snapped into three pieces, which then fell down on the end of the cam shaft snapping off the distributor drive gear. Those falling parts collected cylinder 7-8 rods on the way down, which then punched a hole in the pan. Killed $3,000 worth of engine work because he wouldn't spend the money for a good billet distributor.

 

7500 rpm sounds a tad high for a stock HEI. I would say somewhere in the low 6000 rpm range in stock config. Bottom line is if you are gonna spin that motor to 7500 you will be better off "safer" going with something aftermarket. later