distributor alternatives
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Auburndale, Florida
distributor alternatives
I'm looking at replacing the original distributor in my 8BA flathead (think they called it the "loadamatic") and was wondering what the concensus is about aftermarket or modified dizzys. You flathead guys please sound off about your experiences good and/or bad with:Mallory dual point - centrifical advance
Mallory electronic - also centrifical advance
MSD billet (requres the MSD 6 controller box to work)
MSD Ready to run - drop in with centrifical and vacuum advance (I'm leaning in this direction at the present time)
Dave's Small Body HEI units - uses the original dizzy body and adds parts from another brand - probably the cost leader for an electronic dizzy so far as I can tell.
I'd sure appreciate any feedback or suggestions. I really like the idea of the vacuum advance (and not relying completely on the centrifical) for a street motor that will spend most of it's time at part throttle but a lot of these units only use the centrifical and that may be okay for these motors too.
Whatchathink????
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Southern New Hampshire
I vote for electronic. You can modify a MOPAR which has been written up in books and they look reasonably close to stock; you can put MOPAR guts in the stocker which also requires some machining or you can go with Dave who uses the MOPAR.
In all those cases you need a 12V conversion.
The latest MSD is reportedly excellent and they worked out the bugs when using with a gennie. They also have a 6V version.
If you go old timey dual point then use a CD ignition box otherwise you will still be burning points. The Mallory electronic is garbage and often comes with the wrong curve; SBC usually!
In all those cases you need a 12V conversion.
The latest MSD is reportedly excellent and they worked out the bugs when using with a gennie. They also have a 6V version.
If you go old timey dual point then use a CD ignition box otherwise you will still be burning points. The Mallory electronic is garbage and often comes with the wrong curve; SBC usually!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Auburndale, Florida
Thanks 286! My truck is mostly stock but has been converted to 12 volts and electric 2 speed wipers. Vacuum wipers are charming but not very effective in a Florida rain storm!!!I had forgotten about the MOPAR conversion too. I'll have to get the books out and rethink.
Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Southern New Hampshire
The main thing I like about the Mopar is that there are still a zillion in junkyards for next to nothing. Any V8 up to about 86. Get the dizzie, coil and firewall mounted module with at least part of the harness.
Ive used several now in hot flatheads and they are bulletproof.
Ive used several now in hot flatheads and they are bulletproof.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Auburndale, Florida
Thanks Carl...now I have to hunt up my books and go junkyard diving (not a bad thing to do on a Saturday me-thinks!) and see what I can come up with. Sounds like it will work fine in a slightly warmed up flathead (2 pot maifold, slightly shaved stock heads and headers w/Smithy's). Besides, next to nothing is my kind of cost base!!! Thanks!
