454 distributor thoughts

[bkahler]

Any thoughts on this distributor? Price just seems to good to be true

454 distributor

Brad

[LJH]

" You pays yo money and you takes yo chances." For $40 I'd try it.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by LJH

" You pays yo money and you takes yo chances." For $40 I'd try it.

That's kinda what I was thinking. It was surprising to find so many distributors (some even with cables) for not much more than this one. I suppose for spares you could just buy a couple of them so when one one fails all you have to do is swap in another cheap one!

I knew small block and big block chevy parts were cheap but $40 really surprised me.

Brad

[Keyair]

Looks good to me, and you could make an lower offer if you buy 2!
Shipping a little more, but additional item is $8...


With 65k v coil I would but some good fat HT leads and open up the plug gaps a touch!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Looks good to me, and you could make an lower offer if you buy 2!
Shipping a little more, but additional item is $8...


With 65k v coil I would but some good fat HT leads and open up the plug gaps a touch!

Makes me wonder just how good these things really are. Grated the technology is pretty mature by now and it seems everyone and their brother makes chevy parts.

Even though my Argosy 454 engine is built and sitting on the stand, when I look at the prices for some of the new parts that can be had like billet cranks, roller this and that it makes me think about tearing the engine apart and starting over...and then I look at my bank account and realize that is just a fantasy

Brad

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Makes me wonder just how good these things really are. Grated the technology is pretty mature by now and it seems everyone and their brother makes chevy parts.

Even though my Argosy 454 engine is built and sitting on the stand, when I look at the prices for some of the new parts that can be had like billet cranks, roller this and that it makes me think about tearing the engine apart and starting over...and then I look at my bank account and realize that is just a fantasy

Brad

You've stumbled upon the ultimate performance accessory, the roller VISA Card!

Of course, not as good as the turbo VISA.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

You've stumbled upon the ultimate performance accessory, the roller VISA Card!

Of course, not as good as the turbo VISA.

Mind sending me your cards? Either the roller or turbo would be just fine...

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Mind sending me your cards? Either the roller or turbo would be just fine...

I would, but all I have is a flat tappet with worn-out lobes.

Hardly any lift left at all.

[swebster]

Wow, if thats real it's a good deal. I paid $119 for a stock distributor (no coil) from Auto Zone on mine.

[FreshAir]

I have the very similar 455. I am running the points version in the Buick and have had no problems. My Jeep has a 455 and runs with a HEI....no problems. I also had 2 other 455s with HEIs.... Just waiting for my current points distribitor to hickup.......if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Neil

[bkahler]

Dang, I'm beginning to think this might not be a bad deal I might just have to order one when I get closer to sticking the engine back in the motorhome.

Brad

[andyleonard]

If that cheesey Chinese distributor with it's remarkably fragile cap was going into my motor, I would be ABSOLUTELY sure the old one was in the rig somewhere, just in case. Shaft runout from bad bushings/lube is a sorespot.

Completely worth $40 and definitely not the best you can do.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by andyleonard

If that cheesey Chinese distributor with it's remarkably fragile cap was going into my motor, I would be ABSOLUTELY sure the old one was in the rig somewhere, just in case. Shaft runout from bad bushings/lube is a sorespot.

Completely worth $40 and definitely not the best you can do.

Andy, great points about the cap and potential run out problems. Getting and using chinese parts is sort of a crap shoot. Sometimes you can get a really good item for next to nothing and then along comes something that you wonder why you ever bought it.

Fortunately for me the need for a distributor is still down the road and between now and then I could just possibly win the lottery (of course I do need to buy a ticket now and then)

When or if I buy one and use it I'll definitely report back on the quality and performance. Right now I have to figure out how the heck to replace the wood floor in the motorhome as I've just found that it is more rotted than I expected

Brad

[drboyd]

I think the first thing I'd do on a motorhome engine would be to add an MSD box. I put one on an Olds 455 and it made a big difference at low rpms...

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by drboyd

I think the first thing I'd do on a motorhome engine would be to add an MSD box. I put one on an Olds 455 and it made a big difference at low rpms...

Well I do have a couple of Mallory 6AL MSD boxes sitting on the shelf left over from the last race car rebuild...

[drboyd]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Well I do have a couple of Mallory 6AL MSD boxes sitting on the shelf left over from the last race car rebuild...

That's exactly what you want, IMHO!!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by drboyd

That's exactly what you want, IMHO!!

I don't know if you saw this thread Streamline Airstream but the guy that owns it has this arrangement in the engine compartment of his Argosy.




I believe the smaller module in the foreground is the MSD module with knock sensor & retard control. If I remember right I have one of those sitting on the shelf as well.

As I was looking over his rig I noticed that he had redundancy all over the place. There are two MSD boxes with one being a hot standby to where all he has to do is flip a switch and he's running on the other box. He doesn't like the idea of being stranded anywhere. Can't say as I blame him

He gave me copies of his wiring diagrams and I was amazed at the amount and type of hardware he has added.

Brad

[Boom Sounds]

Yesterday was very productive, fitted new:

Fuel filter;
MAP sensor;
Oil change;
Knock sensor change;
Distributor;
Coil pack;
PCV valve:
Rotor.

When fitting these, it revealed this rusty distributor. I am hoping this is the cause of my occaisional loss of power and knock sensor playing up. It certainly felt different after a good clean up and use of some electrical contact cleaner, but maybe that was wishful thinking. Anyhow, I think I will replace this part. I saw Brad's post, has anyone ever used one of these distributors?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-BBC-CHEV...-/371427366583

They seem incredibly cheap, but I can't see any negative press.

Any thoughts on the extent to which that rust will interfere and cause performance issues? I think it may have been causing some engine knock. The knock sensor then retards the timing etc.

allbest
Nick

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Boom Sounds

Yesterday was very productive, fitted new:

Fuel filter;
MAP sensor;
Oil change;
Knock sensor change;
Distributor;
Coil pack;
PCV valve:
Rotor.

When fitting these, it revealed this rusty distributor. I am hoping this is the cause of my occaisional loss of power and knock sensor playing up. It certainly felt different after a good clean up and use of some electrical contact cleaner, but maybe that was wishful thinking.

Wow! That's really rusty! I can't say that I've ever seen a distributor that rusty before. Other than the rust causing bad connections I don't see any other way the rust could cause poor running conditions.

Anyhow, I think I will replace this part. I saw Brad's post, has anyone ever used one of these distributors?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-BBC-CHEV...-/371427366583

They seem incredibly cheap, but I can't see any negative press.

I believe that is the wrong distributor for your engine. Your distributor should not have vacuum advance. This is the distributor that I bought. Yes they are cheap but there's not much that can go wrong with a distributor and the Chevy small block and big block V8s were produced in the millions and are probably still being made today in some form or fashion. Parts for these engines are relatively cheap.

With that being said, I did have to replace the Ignition Control Module in the brand new distributor due to it causing spikes on the tachometer signal to the PCM. I replaced the ICM with a new quality replacement and the spikes are gone.

Any thoughts on the extent to which that rust will interfere and cause performance issues? I think it may have been causing some engine knock. The knock sensor then retards the timing etc.

allbest
Nick

Next time as you replace components try replacing one at time and doing a test drive. That way you'll know which part made the most difference.

Brad

[Boom Sounds]

Sorry Brad - I posted the wrong link. They also produce one for the TBI 1991 454, similar price, so I guess similar quality.

I did test drive after each fix. The rusty distributor was the last piece of the jigsaw. I couldn't undo two of the bolts, so couldn't replace the pickup underneath, but it seems smoother, I need to do a hundred miles to be certain. I'll order a new one and swap it out. I'm pretty happy to replace many of these items and keep the old as spares. In most cases, they've given 25 years service, so could probably use a rest. Interesting, that rust problem does seem a common fault. The rest of the engine bay is pretty much rust free so there is obviously a fault in the design of the cap; mine came without any kind of gasket. I suspect a little moisture gets trapped in there.


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