The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Distributor Replacement Advice Needed

I'm in the final stages of restoring my 49 AD (216 engine)and need to replace the distributor. With all the bolts tight, it can be moved both up and down and side to side. The truck starts and runs fine although it does occasionaly stumble a bit under acceleration which I would think could be caused at least in part by the distributor.

Anyway, is it worth the extra expense ($250 to $300 versus $75 to $100) to go with a dual point or HEI versus a rebuilt stock distributor? The truck is basically stock. It is 12 volt, alternator, new wiring and all of the bolt on engine bits are new or rebuilt. Engine internals are untouched.. Thanks.

The clamp and vacuum advance hold the distributor in place in a 216, and if they let it move too much then it should be replaced. There should be a small amount of play, the dist is supposed to float. If it wobbles around with the engine running then it has a shaft problem and needs rebuilding.

..What Josiah said ~ Big A auto parts and others sell rebuilts very affordably (under $50.00) DO NOT turn in your old dizzy untill the job is finished to your satisfaction ! .

MT sometimes has NOS ones , I lucked out and found a NOS 235 dizzy in the Delco box on E-pay for $50.00 delivered . 216 & 235 dizzy's are interchangeable per GM .

Don't pass by that old filthy greasy one on the $1.00 junk box at the swap meet either ~ often it was a takeout 35 years ago and is actually in VGC once you clean it up .