HEI Distributor - Do I need to replace any of these parts?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,206
Reaction score
6,186
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
So I transferred the coil looking thing into my new cap, doesnt match, but hwatever. It should be replaced? Also is anything on the distributor side beside vacc hose worn out? Are those kick out thingies supposed to be rusty? they move, albeit with some resistance but not a lot

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,206
Reaction score
6,186
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Its what I was actually gonna say.. if these parts look to be in need of replacement i was honestly gonna just buy a whole new one.
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,941
Reaction score
9,829
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
Its what I was actually gonna say.. if these parts look to be in need of replacement i was honestly gonna just buy a whole new one.
What makes you think anything needs replaced? If the the truck runs fine, the module, capacitor and pickup coil are fine. If the mechanical advance weights are sticky, could just need cleaned up and lubed or the posts might be worn. If posts are worn, get new distributor, otherwise remove, clean and lube and re-install.
And that's the "new" dist cap? Looks old to me, and looks like it fits....confused.
 

C10MixMaster

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2016
Posts
756
Reaction score
1,420
Location
Kingman AZ
First Name
Ben
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C10 BIG10
Engine Size
ZZ4 350
So I transferred the coil looking thing into my new cap, doesnt match, but hwatever. It should be replaced? Also is anything on the distributor side beside vacc hose worn out? Are those kick out thingies supposed to be rusty? they move, albeit with some resistance but not a lot

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach


From the pic i can see the weight bushings are bad. at minimum replace those and grease the advance. . if you decide to do the whole dist here one from accel https://www.ebay.com/itm/Accel-5910...115455&hash=item4219e349da:g:TzoAAOSwjOVe2PEn

at that price its kinda hard to pass up.
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,941
Reaction score
9,829
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
The Rusty weights double as a rev limiter. Perfect for manual trans.

Lol, right? Also makes it run better on cheap gas when you don't get all the advance out of it you should. Less pinging!
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,875
Reaction score
14,900
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Those "kick out thingies" is what advances the timing.
Lol

Mechanical advance that runs off of centrifugal force
 

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
14,815
Reaction score
49,066
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
It'll save you time and money. Those internal parts if all replaced new will be as much or more for a new skip white distributor. But, skip white gives you a warranty where replaced parts won't.
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,875
Reaction score
14,900
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
It'll save you time and money. Those internal parts if all replaced new will be as much or more for a new skip white distributor. But, skip white gives you a warranty where replaced parts won't.

Is that skip white stuff worth a damn?
I Hear alot of Mixed reviews on it
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,206
Reaction score
6,186
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
I wasnt looking to replace internal parts, more so, do i need to replace parts, if so, ill buy a new one. I have like 5 on a shelf if i need a used. too
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,941
Reaction score
9,829
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
What makes you think anything needs replaced? If the the truck runs fine, the module, capacitor and pickup coil are fine. If the mechanical advance weights are sticky, could just need cleaned up and lubed or the posts might be worn. If posts are worn, get new distributor, otherwise remove, clean and lube and re-install.
And that's the "new" dist cap? Looks old to me, and looks like it fits....confused.


I quoted myself to try to help you with the same question you just asked in the post above this one, again.
Just like in the other thread you started about a tune up, you couldn't or didn't say "why" you thought it needed a tuneup. Now, what condition are you trying to fix or improve? That will determine if you need a new distributor. Or a used one, or a new part in the existing one....
If you have a problem with this one and have 5 used ones on the shelf, why not just pop it out and toss in another one? That takes like 10 minutes.

But first you have to answer what you're trying to fix.
 

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
14,815
Reaction score
49,066
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
Is that skip white stuff worth a damn?
I Hear alot of Mixed reviews on it

Several members from here have said they were great. Lifetime warranty on them to. amine worked great and is made with good quality too.
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
3,694
Reaction score
6,682
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I quoted myself to try to help you with the same question you just asked in the post above this one, again.
Just like in the other thread you started about a tune up, you couldn't or didn't say "why" you thought it needed a tuneup. Now, what condition are you trying to fix or improve? That will determine if you need a new distributor. Or a used one, or a new part in the existing one....
If you have a problem with this one and have 5 used ones on the shelf, why not just pop it out and toss in another one? That takes like 10 minutes.

But first you have to answer what you're trying to fix.

Well put. Trying to follow her threads is like trying to solve a crossword puzzle.
 

1987 GMC Jimmy

Automobile Hoarder
Joined
Jan 23, 2016
Posts
5,848
Reaction score
2,387
Location
Mississippi
First Name
Jesse
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V1500 Jimmy
Engine Size
350
If the advance canister holds vacuum, the plate is free, the advance arms and springs are lubed, there isn’t excessive rotational slop, and you don’t hear radio interference that correlates with a constantly advancing/retarding spark curve, I wouldn’t be too worried. The capacitor is just a noise suppressing device for the radio in HEI, not like points where it’s crucial. The ignition module looks like an OEM part, which is good, and you grounded the ignition coil right, which is good, and the ICM connectors are in good shape, which is good. If anything breaks, you can replace/rebuild, which is what I would do. Easy job.

I’m glad people have had good results with the Skipper on here, but isn’t that a Chinesium distributor? Or is it Taiwanese? If it’s Chi-Nal versus Chicom, I think that makes an appreciable, positive difference in quality, but I don’t know where it comes from.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,068
Posts
908,345
Members
33,544
Latest member
Twistedgmt400
Top