The new distributor arrived today. It has a cast aluminum (not cast iron) housing, and it appears to be an accurate, well-machined copy of a tall cap point type distributor. It includes a cap, rotor, points, condenser, and a drive gear (alloy unknown- - -appears to be steel). There is a VERY poorly machined grease cup- - - -probably needs to be replaced with a better quality one. I have not done a detailed disassembly yet to see if there's a spring and a wear button under the grease cup, or to inspect the centrifugal advance parts under the breaker plate. No model number stamped on the breaker plate.
This one looks like it will be a suitable replacement for a well-worn original item, especially at the price. It will also serve very well as a base for a conversion to a HEI pickup coil and reluctor setup, with the trigger module mounted on a remote heat sink, and a Chrysler type round HEI coil that resembles the OEM point type coil. That setup will function with the same output and reliability as the big cap HEI while resembling an original distributor. An OEM vacuum advance can be fitted, or it's possible that newer style, less expensive vacuum advance parts could be adapted to provide the same "rotating housing" operation as an original stovebolt distributor.
Jerry
