[Tim66]

Hi guys,I have a 66 tri-pwr that I'd like to put on my 66 lemans 400ci,but I heard that the distributor needs to be smaller in order for the tri-pwr to fit.I have an electronic dist. in there now.Does anyone know what kind of dist. I will need and does anyone have one thats reasonably fair priced.Thank you very much for any help.
Tim.

[Chief of the 60's]

If you have one of those massive HEI cap distributors, it probably is too big. Get yourself a MSD distribtor and box. Your car will thank you for the upgrade.

And get the MSD parts not the Summit brand knock-offs. The Summit brand may look like MSD because it is red, but it is far from it.

[Tim66]

Thanks chief,I'll look in to that.
Tim

[Chief of the 60's]

I don't know much about them but I think MSD makes an all-in-one unit that you could look into.

[tom s]

there has been a lot of discussion on this site about which aftermarkets are good and not good.For the last 20 plus years I have just used a stock pontiac points dist with a pertronix mod in it.Never has failed me but like all electronic equip some have had failures with all makes.Suntuned on this site is a good source for info.He did my last conversion for me.FWIW,Tom

[Chief of the 60's]

Pertronix has heat issues. I know plenty of people that used it and it died on them several times. They got rid of it. Some people get lucky and/or drive very little and claim zero problems, while many got tired of their car's unreliability factor and removed it. Do a Google search or check out the HAMB on Pertronix issues and be the judge.

[GT182]

I'm with you Tom. I've heard the same thing with MSD... they have died too. Actually, I do know 3 guys here in DE that their MSDs died on them. They have a 66 Cobra replica, a drag strip 69 Chevelle, and a 67 Pontiac GTO. I was almost the 4th guy to go with MSD and I'm very glad I didn't. I'd go with a Pertronix. I've heard only good praise by the guys around here that have the Pertronix setup in their original distributors.

So I say it's a toss up on which way to go.

I'm running a stock Pontiac HEI unit on my 68 400, and I love it. I've never had any issues with it in 4 years of running it.

[Chief of the 60's]

LOL Pertronix over MSD LMAO!

Sorry but I find that extremely amusing. I guess the pros in the racing industry are missing out. They all should be running Pertronix.

[tom s]

FYI,im not racing!Im driving on the street and dont usually run points,I want the stock look(Not with MSD)and still electroinc.Tom

[tom s]

Also im talking a stock dizzy with the Pertronix electronic conversion NOT a Pertronix dist!Tom

[Chief of the 60's]

After you put a black cap and wires on this could you explain how this would not "appear" stock?

[tom s]

As soon as I saw the wires I would take a closer look.You run what you like and I will do the same!Tom

[John Milner]

I've really never had a problem with points in a stock application. Just use a good set. Keep an extra set and an extra condenser in your glove box and you should be good to go. No modules that could fail and leave you stranded. It doesn't take 5 minutes to replace them or set them.

The only time I've ever had a problem with points is when I have tried to spin an engine over 6K rpm.

[Mister Pontiac]

Originally Posted by John Milner

I've really never had a problem with points in a stock application...

Agreed.

I run points in two of my cars, and an HEI in the other. I've had zero issues with the points (stock applications), but I keep the dwell checked and adjusted regularly. Conversely, I like my HEI also, but I've had HEI modules die. Rare, but it has happened.

Nothing wrong with "stock" in "stock" applications.

[MUSLCAH]

I run my matching #s Distributor with points....