Rusty distributor - What do you think?

[Falco]

Could this cause problems?

It worked fine for a while (I belive it was like this last time, when I replaced the cap and rotor), but now I've a WOT performance loss issue, so started to diagnose ignition and it has catched my eyes... What do you think? I don't want to drop an other handfull of cash into the engine bay if it's not absolutely necessary.

If I've to replace it, what are my options? MSD? Rebuilt stock? Any other?

TIA,

 

[Tydriver]

Keep in mind the Advance/Retard ring is in that portion of the distributor. If its hanging up it may indeed cause an issue with COMMANDED advance VS reality.

One thing is for sure, it certainly isnt going to HELP any issues on a vehicle that already exhibits ignition related problems (SyTy's in general)

The MSD is a nice part, prolly overkill and certainly NOT cheap. ( $300 +/-)

I've heard Autozone offers a replacement/rebuilt OEM distributor for around $100 +\-

If you have the balls to run any of the garbage that AZ puts out it may show some results. How freely does the advance/retard ring move on that unit ?

 

[Falco]

Thanks Todd,

I've not checked the rings' movement, I'll do this. I checked the timing at idle with an adjustable timing gun against the values in DM. It' working, I can see the same timing as DM shows the ECM commands. According to this I guess WOT timing should be good as well.

Anyway to change it with an MSD, it's just too much. It's the #8367 if I'm right, which is around $290, plus I need a bronze gear for an other $40 if I'm right (do you need the bronze gear with the stock cam too!?). Also MSD says, you have to use an ignition box with this distributor, which is an other $150 plus the harness. I don't want to spend ~$500 and possibly get more issues with the 6a and/or with the distributor. I can remember John (Windev) reporting some issue with the distributor itself.

Anybody have the Autozone part number handy for the rebuilt one? Their site is down right now. Does GM also carrie a rebuilt one?

Thanks,

 

[ed hess]

falco, falco, falco (read with head hanging down and moving side to side as if somone has their arm on your shoulder {c'mon son lets go for a walk and i can tell you the facts of life})

falco, even if its not the cause theres no way you can leave somthing that looks like that on your motor anyway. theres just no way anybody has something that looks that bad on their motor. Son its just not the kinda thing ya wanna go around doing, People are gonna start to talk and then they'll be looki at ya kinda funny.

Ok so you understand this right.

good

glad we had this talk

now get in there and change that thing to anything else, just so long as it doesnt look lke that.

ed <------ geez ya know these young guys they just dont understand that its gotta look as good as it runs....

 

[Tydriver]

Last I heard GM didnt stock the actual SYTY part # distributor. All the pieces were still available if you wanted to build your own from the parts but I heard the sum of the parts was over $700+

 

[ed hess]

oh btw falco...

check the classifieds for oem distributors. I know of at least one person that posted one available last week.

ed

 

[Ian Turgeon]

techweasel has one of these on his build

info
http://www.techweasel.com/articles/syty/november_26.htm


install (down the page)
http://www.techweasel.com/articles/syty/january_18.htm

Im pretty sure you dont need their box to run this shaft.

 

[vortecfiero]

Keep in mind the Advance/Retard ring is in that portion of the distributor. If its hanging up it may indeed cause an issue with COMMANDED advance VS reality.

I have 2 syty dist. and none of them of them have an "Advance/Retard ring"
am i just not seeing something ?
I thought these dist had "locked" timeing

 

[truckins10]

Falco,
My distributor looked simulair to yours. So I decided to run the truckon a lab scope and everything was working fine for me. The patterns were nice and tight, no spikes. What you want to look for is cracks in the magnet, little cracks by the center where the shaft go in is normal(comelike that brand new). Common crakes are where the 3 pins go through the magnet. This could cause spikes/interferance in the pickup coils patterns. But, as long as the ring moves freely I wouldnt spend the money IMO. Fern Sy#477

 

[ed hess]

hey dont tell falco to keep it. Otherwise how am i gonna sell my spare distributor to him...OOOPs

ed

 

[Daron]

At the suggestion of a respected board member I cast aside my distaste for Auto Zone parts and purchased their distributor. I am very happy with it. Dont use the ignition module that comes with it though, get an AC Delco unit (also good advise from the respectable board member).

 

[lSyclonel]

My dis. shaft in my sy had cracks in the magnet, and was giving off a nother signal to the pick up coil and making it run like crap.

 

[TyMeUp]

Keep in mind the Advance/Retard ring is in that portion of the distributor. If its hanging up it may indeed cause an issue with COMMANDED advance VS reality.

I have 2 syty dist. and none of them of them have an "Advance/Retard ring"
am i just not seeing something ?
I thought these dist had "locked" timeing

Guys, the 'ring' is the pickup coil (the part that generates the AC voltage pulses that trigger the module to fire the coil). It is fixed and does not move. If you have a distributor exactly like this with a 'ring' that moves, it is broken. All advance/retard is done electronically.

Also, most 4.3L V-6 engines will use this exact same distributor. Check your local salvage yard for a 'clean' one.

 

[lSyclonel]

i under stand. but "the ring" trigers the pick up. with the magnet. and if you have cracks in there it can triger the pick up.

 

[lSyclonel]

and yes you are right, if it spins its junk

 

[truckins10]

Confused about something.....If the outer ring(copper tarnised piece in pic) moves back and forth its not working properly??? What exactly does that ring do and what affect will it have if it does move?? I was not aware of this. Fern Sy#477

 

[lSyclonel]

inner ring cant move, i think you may be talking about the outer ring shield. that will move side to side about 10 deg. BUT i could be wrong

 

[truckins10]

Good, you had me believin my whole life was a lie. It makes sense to me now

 

[Falco]

Thanks guys...

Ed,

Give me a good price if you are ready to do some overseas deal... :wink: How many miles on that distributor?

Later,

 

[TurboManiacal]

I paid $297 shipped for my MSD...whether or not it runs...that remains to be seen for this evening.

Falco if you want to run your old one...and shipping for the MSD is significantly more than the $297 I paid...you could ship it to me and I'll give it to you in Switzerland on june 7th.