| What is the best electronic distributor for my 69-71 455 [message #226192] |
Sat, 19 October 2013 08:28  |
Ultravan Owners
Messages: 443
Registered: March 2013
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hello everyone,
I have a 69-71 455 and it still has the points distributor.
I want to switch it over to a nice reliably electronic distributor.
I had a friend who tried one of those $69 complete distributor setups and it did not last him a year.
Something happened to the coil which is mounted in the distributor cap.
SO what is the best one out there to buy?
Should I also have someone set it up for my power plant and final drive? (Rework the advance weights)
IF SO - Who does it?
Thanks, Tony
Tony (Ontario Canada)
Marie and I are blessed to have had a 2nd chance to buy our farm.
Still hoping and more importantly praying to be able to build a garage.
Our 1970 Ultravan #520 has an Olds Toronado 455 in back.
[Updated on: Sat, 19 October 2013 08:29] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] What is the best electronic distributor for my 69-71 445 [message #226194 is a reply to message #226192] |
Sat, 19 October 2013 08:45  |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Tony,
Only one unit to buy, a Dick Paterson HEI unit set up for your requirements. He would need to know if your engine size, what cam, carb or FI, final drive and tire size, do you tow?
http://www.paterson-gmc.com/gmc-motorhome/ignition/
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
On Oct 19, 2013, at 9:28 AM, Tony <Ultravanman248@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I have a 69-71 455 and it still has the points distributor.
> I want to switch it over to a nice reliably electronic distributor.
>
> I had a friend who tried one of those $69 complete distributor setups and it did not last him a year.
> Something happened to the coil which is mounted in the distributor cap.
>
> SO what is the best one out there to buy?
> Should I also have someone set it up for my power plant and final drive? (Rework the advance weights)
> IF SO - Who does it?
>
> Thanks, Tony
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: What is the best electronic distributor for my 69-71 455 [message #226199 is a reply to message #226192] |
Sat, 19 October 2013 09:54 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| Ultravan Owners wrote on Sat, 19 October 2013 09:28 |
Hello everyone,
I have a 69-71 455 and it still has the points distributor.
I want to switch it over to a nice reliably electronic distributor.
I had a friend who tried one of those $69 complete distributor setups and it did not last him a year.
Something happened to the coil which is mounted in the distributor cap.
SO what is the best one out there to buy?
Should I also have someone set it up for my power plant and final drive? (Rework the advance weights)
IF SO - Who does it?
Thanks, Tony
|
Tony,
While I admire Dick Paterson's work immensely, if all you want is an immediate improvement in reliability and a relief from re-tuning every 2~3k miles, just purchase and install the electronic equivalent to ignition points from Pertonix. That part you want is 1181 and comes in several types. All are simple to install.
If you go to an HEI distributor, then you have to either do a very serious hammer job on the existing air filter housing or locate the offset version used on later 455 vehicles.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: What is the best electronic distributor for my 69-71 455 [message #226226 is a reply to message #226192] |
Sat, 19 October 2013 12:42 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Tell you friend to go buy a new coil at the local auto parts store and to reduce the plug gap to around .040".
Having distributor coils and modules go bad is common on these engines if the plug gap is set too wide. I blew two modules and one coil before I reduced the plug gap to .040". I now carry both as spares and have loaned out my spares a couple of times to stranded GMCers.
If you go to Dick Paterson for a replacement distributor he probably will want you to send in a core for rebuild. You can get one out of just about any Olds in the junkyard.
Whatever route you go, carry a spare module and coil. If you do, then you will probably never need them. If you don't then you know that you absolutely will need them on the road somewhere.
May I also suggest a set of high quality spark plug wires from Dick Paterson.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: What is the best electronic distributor for my 69-71 455 [message #226254 is a reply to message #226226] |
Sat, 19 October 2013 20:25 |
jim kanomata
Messages: 257
Registered: March 2007
Location: fremont,ca
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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The failier of a coil is nothing new as they all do at one time or another, however, you need to know what you get for your money with the Patterson Springfield unit.
The mechanical timing curve is hand and machine set by Dick to give you performance and mileage.
There is more mileage gain in a properly timed distributer than playing with a carburetor.
That is why we sell his units and know that is better than any one you can get from your corner store or E Bay.
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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