Yes, the 2400 is really what you want. There are more of them around, parts availability is better. I have never run an automatic with a 235 or 261 but I see no reason why the 2400 would present any issues as it was used behind the cast iron power glide motors. That being said, the fact is that these distributors are really really old, and most are really laden with thick grease under the point plate and shaft assembly, or have broken or worn pins, or broken springs for the advance weights, or there is so much rust and crud in and on the advance weights that the mechanical advance is just not working or working poorly, or the shaft is just so worn that the wobble makes setting the dwell or point gap so unpredictable as a useless exercise.
From there, the questions go why is my motor running poorly, why do I not have a little power, why does the motor run badly on acceleration and then try to solve it with new coil, wires, plugs, when the issue is really with the distributor.
I have two NOS 2400 distributors. Neither of them came up to specification when I first got them. Both needed cleaning and adjusting and they were new and never used. A rebuilt distributor with a correctly functioning mechanical advance makes a world of difference, at least in my experience. So go to the trouble of getting a replacement unit, pay close attention to the condition of the lobes, no rust, and have it rebuilt.
I agree, the Sun machine is a really great tool. I purchased it a couple of years ago up in New York where it had been sitting in a warehouse since the late 1980s. Was apparently owned by RCA at one time who used it to developed ignition modules for the big OEMs. It was in outward great shape. I bought it out of necessity as the man who was rebuilding my distributors retired and if I wanted to continue to play with these early motors (I am in my late 50s), I would have to invest in some of the more professional tools so I bit the bullet. I cleaned it up, and rebuilt the electronics. Mark Sanders at Paramount Distributors is the guru of these machines and has all the parts to get one back into operating condition. Without him and his parts, this machine would still be DOA.
http://www.paramountd.comIts just one more item now that I don't have to scrounge around to find someone to do.
