[HWYSTR455]

I respect everyone's opinion and experience, not trying to offend anyone, just sharing my opinion.

Late 70s thru the 80s and into the 90s, I ran many types of boxes, Crane, MSD, Mallory, Accel, Jacob, Pertronix, and ones I can't remember.

I've run just about every type of distributor too, AND, my fallback was always points. Without a box to be clear. But my fallback dizzy took considerable time to setup properly, and it did have parts from multiple donor cores.

I drove my cars as primary transportation from late-70s thru the 20-0hs, and probably have more street miles on my cars than just about anyone here. I did 90%+ of the work on those cars too. I've tried just about every aftermarket part for a pontiac that's available.

What is the most reliable pickup? Take your time, let me know. But I can tell you, the mag pickups are probably one of the top 3, easy. Look how many OEs have used it over the years.

I went multi-point SEFi in the mid-90s, which basically forced me into using a specific kind of ignition, hence, CD box. So since then, I've revisited CD boxes, and in my experience, across the board, the most reliable boxes were/are MSD. (and yes I've had MSD failures).

Let's revisit the OP's opening statement:

"I am trying to tap the forum knowledge to find a new distributor for my 455 engine. I am quite fed up with failing distributors by now."

So what's the recommendation? Are you going to tell this person to use an old points distributor from eGay? And go thru it and curve it?

Let's look at this from a risk management perspective. Although some system components have desirable features, and even though others have had success with it, new parts and new companies need to stand the test of time. It's a simple fact. Nothing worse than getting part X all dialed in and the company goes under or changes hands.

For many, dialing in a distributor curve takes time and knowledge, not all have the experience/knowledge as many here. Do a search here on how many made comments about 'sending a distributor out for a custom curve' ? This is where being able to program it is very useful, people can just program it. How many still have a graveyard of shafts, weights, & springs?

OP Comment: "Instead of further troubleshooting on the dizzy and throwing more parts at it, I am thinking of installing a new, good quality unit." (2nd Pertronix)

Selection Criteria: Reliability, NEW, quality unit.

Anything beyond that is a bonus or not needed.

My recommendation: MSD RTR or knock-off Cost: MSD = $575, Knock-Off = $375

Bonus: Programmable timing control for about the cost of an MSD RTR.

My recommendation: MSD Pro Billet knock-off with a programmable CD box +MAP.

Cost: $190 + $400 + $30 = $620

So for the basic cost of an MSD RTR, you can get programmable timing control. How does that not make sense?


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