What distributor is best to run in a new mild built 400? Under light acceleration I can hear what sounds like bolts in a tin can but it will go away if i give it more gas or let off all the way. Only does it under light accel. I am guessing its pinging but the motor was just professionally installed and the timing was double checked. I have heard that since I dont have a EGR I need to recurve my dist, I was just thinking I would upgrade it, its an old stock distributor. What brands are best and will that help my pinging? I am running 91 octane, thats the premium where I have been buying gas. Its 9.5:1...... fresh .040 bore maybe 300 miles on build.

 

One of the site sponsors, Performance Distributors, makes both HEI and Duraspark distributors for the 400. They will custom curve to your specifications. I haven't needed a distributor so far, but will check them out when I do.

 

hmmm and you are using the ex256h right? if so youll need 93 octane... the stock old dizzy works fine iwth a high voltage coil, just check your spring on te vacuum advance and get a slighlty thicker one...

 

I,m getting ready to build a similar motor as you describe. How has it performed so far?
Let me know what you did for the pinging, I may need the same.

 

Buying a new distributor would be like throwing away a tire because it's flat.

All you need to do is use some harder springs on the centrifugal advance and possibly adjust the vac advance. If you remove the hose to the advance there is a screw down in that hole that can be turned with a small screwdriver.

For troubleshooting reasons, start by disconnecting and plugging the vac advance. If that improves things then you know you are on the right track. Don't drive it totally without a vac advance as it is an economy device and saves fuel at cruise when properly set up.

 

I am running the xe262h, which is similar to the 256 i think. Do i need a new coil? Mine is new but its the stock replacement. So get a thicker spring for the vacuum advance and find some 93 octane should solve it?

 

I am very happy so far. Its only got less than 400 miles so far. If it warms up this weekend I will change the oil and filter then maybe run it a little harder. I havent let it spin past 4k yet but at 4k it barks the tires shifting my c6 from 1 -2 manually.and thats with 35x12.50x15 and 3.50 gears This thing will be insane with some better gears

 

if you have the xe262h you will be fine on 91, but yeah get a harder spring, and a super coil will help your aplication with the stock dizzy.

 

Where can a guy get one of the harder springs? Got a part number?

 

I'm glad this thread was started as I've been amassing a few questions on the subject. Firstly, I've looked at the Performance Distributors website, and while it's a nice thing that they can custom build a distributor with regard to advance curve, I'd like to know how they've been for those that have used them.

Next, I've also looked at the Pertronix website, and was thinking seriously about going with an entire setup from them. After reading a number of threads here, though, it seems some guys have been less than thrilled with their products, and I'd like to know from those that might have something to say about it.

Third, I've also been looking at MSD Ignitions with regard to the entire setup (dist., ignition, coil, etc.), as they've been in the industry forever, and I don't hear a lot of complaints about their products. I'd like to know what you guys think here too.

Now, while I can't just go and say that "cost is no object" as that's pretentious crapola...I can say that since I've lost my mind on the rest of Buford, I might as well stay consistent and get the best setup I can. I'd just like to know what the best direction to go would be if cost wasn't the first concern.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

The stock Duraspark distributor is absolutely fine AS LONG AS it has the correct curve. That is a need regardless of how many hundreds of dollars you plan on spending on an ignition system.

Just curve a Duraspark, use a good coil and you're good to go. Why waste money?

 

Well, while Buford won't be a complete trailer queen, I've already done quite a bit with regard to appearances, and this is another aspect. I've ceramic coated the headers in that polished aluminum finish, I've powdercoated the inner fenders and core support in gloss black, I'll be powdercoating the intake in what they call "lollipop blue", which is a 2 stage candy powdercoat, all bracketry is powdercoated in matching gloss black as well as pulleys, polished water pump, chromed aluminum valve covers, and will be doing a number of other things for appearance sake. Buford is going to be basically a functional toy that I can take to shows as well, so that's why I'm considering the pro-billet stuff from MSD. I realize it's not necessary, but it's good equipment AND looks good....spendy, but serves the purpose I've assigned to it. In 10 years or so when Buford has lost his luster I'll treat him more like a beastie, but he's a toy for now.

The money is only a waste if you didn't get anything out of its expenditure. The benefit I'm getting may not appeal to you with regard to aesthetics, but it does have a somewhat beneficial effect.

 

I now understand where you're coming from on your ignition choice. Form over function. In this case you are looking for both.

I don't know if they are still available, but when these engines were new, they had blue distributor caps. The ones I get now are gray. You would think that with a blue distributor cap and some nice, blue wires along with a prominent coil, it would look pretty trick.

If fwe were talking function only, I would plead my case, but when it gets to looks, then it is a taste issue and there's no accounting for taste. My taste in Women has to do with nice legs. Most men, however, could care less about legs as long as the equipment above the waste is to their liking. Taste!

 

Now you're on my frequency. I'm picky like that...I want it to look as good as it works for this project. Now, if it were my old truck, the 78 Camper special, I'd go right along with you and say function only is all you need, as that truck was a beater that ran like a tank, but Buford is a completely different animal.

That being said, I think I'm going to call MSD to see if they can custom tune a curve for a distributor. Considering that my plant will be nowhere near stock, it might not be a bad idea to check.

As for the distributor cap, MSD has a black cap which I'll be going with if I choose them, partially due to all the black in the compartment, but every blue cap out there will clash with the intake after I get it powdercoated. I know, I suffer from a degree of mental illness that suggests serious chemical treatment, but it keeps me occupied.

 

Crane has a recurve kit that I will have to get for mine for the same reason. It's $37.95 at Summit Racing - High Performance Car and Truck Parts | 800-230-3030 and comes with a new adjustable vacuum advance mechanism and 3 springs for the mechanical advance. The instructions tell you which springs to use for different curve needs.

See here: Crane Cams 99607-1 - Crane Vacuum Advance Kits - summitracing.com