The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts replace ignition points or upgrade?

looking for input on the subject of just replacing my points or upgrading my distributor with an electronic upgrade kit or a whole new distibutor setup?

Pro's and cons please?

Thanks
Matt

if you are starting the truck regularly a regular tune-up will proably be fine. With my 38 I found that a scavanged electronic distributor from a 81 chevy did the trick. Same trick did not work for the 54 though the distributor shaft wouldn't engage the oil pump.

What are you trying to accomplish? Unless you are going to change more than just the distributor, I don't think that you will gain a whole lot. If it has good vitals (compression and oil pressure) and you just want a dependable driver, I say go with new points, cap, rotor, plugs, etc. It should run great, and will not cost you much.
If you want to go the high performance route, the distributor is just one component. You would also want improved carburation, intake and exhaust manifolds, and possibly at least a mild race cam, to reap a big gain.
It is all based on what you really want.

I was leaning towards just cleaning and or replacing the points, the electronic might be nice but you are right headers intake etc etc etc would add to that package, but that is not my goal for this truck right now I just need a dependable runner that runs drives & dumps.

You didn,t say what engine you have. If a electronic ign. conversion kit is available it is a good way to go. Other wise just make shure everything is in good condition.

I m sorry its a 327 with a 2 barrel

Hy Magilla88, could you tell us what year the truck is. The simplest thing to due would be installing a G.M. H.E.I. distributor common to G.m. since 1975 only problem might be firewall clearance the H.E.I. cap is much larger than the point type distributor cap.

Go with the electronic ignition conversion/upgrade. I did because I'd much rather drive a vehicle than tinker with the points constantly.

sorry its a 1963 chevy c50 w/ 327

There should,t be any clearance problems on that model. Like 3B said the original equip. HEI is the best way to go. Crane has a conversion kit that is real neat & simple. I like it better than Petronics on that model dist.

ok that it sounds like thats the way to go (HEI) I will check it out, I may stay with points for a little while until I get all all the gremlins worked out of this old dog, but i am definiteley going to switch it over one less thing to fuss with.

I appreciate all the input.