Thread: distributor modding questions

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The 196 6cyl I have in the Rambler has the points distributor which is a GM- delco unit, and uses Chevy 194-250 6cyl points, cap and rotor, but the shaft is AMC only so I can't just swap in an factory HEI unit.. if I got a new distributor for my engine ( there $40 and my car would have little down time this way ) and got an HEI distributor for a 250 6cyl, couldn't I remove the distributor head from the shaft and just swap them?

Wouldn't be a lot easier to put in a Pertronix or Mallory kit into your existing distributor? If you can get a free I-6 HEI,and have a lathe and mig available,you could try to make the chevy distributor fit. Good luck,Hank

I agree with halftanked. I would disassemble the distributor and check for wear and replace the shim/s to eliminate up and down play. After I was satisfied it was good to go I' install a Petronix unit coupled with their coil.

That's what I was originally thinking was a Petronix kit on the stock distributor.. just thought that GM HEI could be a little better.. but then again, this motor will get swapped out eventually anyway.

Matt, the reason I mentioned their coil is because it's inexpensive as compared to others and it matches the unit impedance wise.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Matt, the reason I mentioned their coil is because it's inexpensive as compared to others and it matches the unit impedance wise.

I know.. Pertonix was my initial thought, but then I got thinking about the fact it is just a GM distributor... but it probably is more involved than I'm willing to get into... Davis Unified Ignition could build me a custom HEI but with there in stock stuff being $350-400, I could only immagine a custom unit ranging $500-600 or so.. I could swap engines to somthing with better parts availability and have electronic ignition too for just a little more than that...


I'v got 3 sets of points to burn up, after that, I'll toss in an Ignitor kit and coil

the pertronix imo has no performance difference from an HEI really..... they seem to keep up pretty nicely....... the only reason to goto an HEI was if you're racing it..... which i know the 196 well enough to know racing at 0-60 in 7 minutes isn't racing power.... unless you're racing against volkswagon busses

Originally Posted by thesals

the pertronix imo has no performance difference from an HEI really..... they seem to keep up pretty nicely....... the only reason to goto an HEI was if you're racing it..... which i know the 196 well enough to know racing at 0-60 in 7 minutes isn't racing power.... unless you're racing against volkswagon busses

nahh., not racing... if it was a 232/ 268, I might have went turbocharged and went racing..