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[GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128586] Sat, 04 June 2011 07:33 Go to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
Senior Member

I think there were some comments on this item
a few days ago, but I can't remember if they
were positive or negative. I wonder if it would
be a good idea to buy one of these as a spare
for "get-home" use even if it were not an exact
replacement specifically set up for the GMC m/h.

(http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380322232488)

At $60 new including shipping, it is probably
an off-shore made item, but specs seem good.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~~ ~ ~ (TZE166V101966) ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128592 is a reply to message #128586] Sat, 04 June 2011 08:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fred v is currently offline  fred v   United States
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
Senior Member
there is very little to go wrong in the dist. itself except for the module. i would keep a module as a spare and save the space for something else.

i've had 2 cases of modules going bad; one on my coach and one on a friends that i helped fix. in both cases the engine would crank and idle fine but when driving off it would stumble and act like it had run out of gas. checked all the fuel filters and pump output. then replaced the module and all was fine again.


Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128604 is a reply to message #128586] Sat, 04 June 2011 09:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
peter bailey is currently offline  peter bailey   United States
Messages: 367
Registered: March 2009
Location: Gawler, South Australia
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Is this the same distributor but at an even lower price?
Peter Bailey
from Ozy (Aussie)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OLDSMOBILE-DELTA-98-50K-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-OLDS-6503-R-/330565777889?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf741 79e1

----- Original Message -----
From: "D C *Mac* Macdonald" <k2gkk@hotmail.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2011 10:03 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay


>
> I think there were some comments on this item
> a few days ago, but I can't remember if they
> were positive or negative. I wonder if it would
> be a good idea to buy one of these as a spare
> for "get-home" use even if it were not an exact
> replacement specifically set up for the GMC m/h.
>
> (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380322232488)
>
> At $60 new including shipping, it is probably
> an off-shore made item, but specs seem good.
>
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
> ~~ ~ ~ (TZE166V101966) ~ ~ ~~
> ~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128607 is a reply to message #128586] Sat, 04 June 2011 09:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Berry is currently offline  Gary Berry   United States
Messages: 1002
Registered: May 2005
Karma: -1
Senior Member
Hey Doc;

This is the same one that I bought from this place a couple of
years ago to replace the points style distrinutor on my coach. I had
gotten the specs that I needed to set it up correctly for the GMC
right here from you guys. When I got it, I took it to my local machine
shop where they had a synchrograph (distributor machine) and had the
guy set it up for me ( $40). Plopped it in and it runs just fine (have
about 15k miles on it now). I also now carry a spare module, magnetic
pickup, and coil thanks to a scare that I had on my last trip to UT.

On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 5:33 AM, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I think there were some comments on this item
> a few days ago, but I can't remember if they
> were positive or negative. I wonder if it would
> be a good idea to buy one of these as a spare
> for "get-home" use even if it were not an exact
> replacement specifically set up for the GMC m/h.
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~

--
Gary and Diana Berry
73 CL Stretch in Wa.
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Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128608 is a reply to message #128586] Sat, 04 June 2011 09:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Billy Massey is currently offline  Billy Massey   United States
Messages: 916
Registered: January 2004
Location: Central Texas
Karma: 1
Senior Member

A better solution would be to install Springfield Ignition's Distributor,
custom curved for your motorhome, and keep your original for a spare.
http://www.springfield-ignition.com/springfield.html
bdub


-----Original Message-----
From: On Behalf Of D C *Mac* Macdonald
Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2011 7:34 AM
Subject: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay


I think there were some comments on this item a few days ago, but I can't
remember if they were positive or negative. I wonder if it would be a good
idea to buy one of these as a spare for "get-home" use even if it were not
an exact
replacement specifically set up for the GMC m/h.

(http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380322232488)

At $60 new including shipping, it is probably an off-shore made item, but
specs seem good.


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bdub
bdub.net
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128610 is a reply to message #128608] Sat, 04 June 2011 09:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Bdub,

I heartily DISAGREE!

If you buy a Springfield Ignition Distributor you WON'T need a spare!

GOTCHA! ;-)

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Billy Massey
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2011 12:19 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay

A better solution would be to install Springfield Ignition's Distributor,
custom curved for your motorhome, and keep your original for a spare.
http://www.springfield-ignition.com/springfield.html
bdub



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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128611 is a reply to message #128604] Sat, 04 June 2011 09:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
Senior Member

Hi, Peter.

While they appear to be similar in description,
the photos are take from different angles so a
direct comparison is not possible. From the
descriptions, the one I cited suggests (at least)
that a 50 kV coil MIGHT be included. I have sent
an email to each of the sellers asking them to
confirm or deny inclusion of the 50 kV coil.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~~ ~ ~ (TZE166V101966) ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~



----------------------------------------
> From: bugeye@internode.on.net
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2011 23:52:39 +0930
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay
>
> Is this the same distributor but at an even lower price?
> Peter Bailey
> from Ozy (Aussie)
> ( http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OLDSMOBILE-DELTA-98-50K-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-OLDS-6503-R-/330565777889?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf741 79e1)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "D C *Mac* Macdonald"
> To:
> Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2011 10:03 PM
> Subject: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay
>
>
> >
> > I think there were some comments on this item
> > a few days ago, but I can't remember if they
> > were positive or negative. I wonder if it would
> > be a good idea to buy one of these as a spare
> > for "get-home" use even if it were not an exact
> > replacement specifically set up for the GMC m/h.
> >
> > (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380322232488)
> >
> > At $60 new including shipping, it is probably
> > an off-shore made item, but specs seem good.
> >
> >
> > ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> > ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> > ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128617 is a reply to message #128586] Sat, 04 June 2011 10:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
Senior Member
Well at that price I ordered one as a spare. I think that's less than the price of a module, pickup and coil. I'm sure Dick's is exactly correct, but this is just as a limp home drop in as my OEM is still fine.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128618 is a reply to message #128611] Sat, 04 June 2011 10:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
Senior Member

Reply from the seller Skip White as mentioned by
Peter (below) states that the coil is in the cap.

Is that true?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~~ ~ ~ (TZE166V101966) ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~



----------------------------------------
> From: k2gkk@hotmail.com
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2011 09:41:09 -0500
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay
>
>
> Hi, Peter.
>
> While they appear to be similar in description,
> the photos are take from different angles so a
> direct comparison is not possible. From the
> descriptions, the one I cited suggests (at least)
> that a 50 kV coil MIGHT be included. I have sent
> an email to each of the sellers asking them to
> confirm or deny inclusion of the 50 kV coil.
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
> ~~ ~ ~ (TZE166V101966) ~ ~ ~~
> ~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------
> > From: bugeye@internode.on.net
> > To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> > Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2011 23:52:39 +0930
> > Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay
> >
> > Is this the same distributor but at an even lower price?
> > Peter Bailey
> > from Ozy (Aussie)
> > ( http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OLDSMOBILE-DELTA-98-50K-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-OLDS-6503-R-/330565777889?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf741 79e1)
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "D C *Mac* Macdonald"
> > To:
> > Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2011 10:03 PM
> > Subject: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay
> >
> >
> > >
> > > I think there were some comments on this item
> > > a few days ago, but I can't remember if they
> > > were positive or negative. I wonder if it would
> > > be a good idea to buy one of these as a spare
> > > for "get-home" use even if it were not an exact
> > > replacement specifically set up for the GMC m/h.
> > >
> > > (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380322232488)
> > >
> > > At $60 new including shipping, it is probably
> > > an off-shore made item, but specs seem good.
> > >
> > >
> > > ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> > > ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> > > ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128619 is a reply to message #128617] Sat, 04 June 2011 10:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
There are at least two schools of thought on spares carried for "what if's".
I guess that it depends on whether you are a plumber (think rear view when
viewed from under the sink cabinet) or a belt and suspenders kinda guy. Some
try to plan for every conceivable malfunction, and carry spares to beat
Murphy at his own game, and others carry AAA towing and a high limit Visa
Card. Both approaches work, just differently. I kinda prefer to use what I
was taught in the Military. If it is running, you drive it. When it isn't
running, the hood better be up and you better be under it performing your
PM, checking wires, hoses, belts, leaks, fluid levels, battery state, air
pressure, you name it. I don't know how many rallies I have been to when
Sunday morn rolls around, you hear the sound of Oldsmobiles firing up, and
many of them before the fan clutch disengages are in gear and heading out on
the highway. No walk arounds, no windshield cleaning, no turn signal and
brake light checks, no air pressure checks, no nothing. I think the place to
replace faulty vacuum hoses, belts, coolant hoses and the like is not
alongside the busy interstate with 18 wheelers whizzing by, but at your
leisure in your shop. JWID, doesn't make me better than you, just different.

Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403

On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 8:01 AM, John R. Lebetski <gransport@aol.com> wrote:

>
>
> Well at that price I ordered one as a spare. I think that's less than the
> price of a module, pickup and coil. I'm sure Dick's is exactly correct, but
> this is just as a limp home drop in as my OEM is still fine.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Chicago, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128625 is a reply to message #128619] Sat, 04 June 2011 11:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sgltrac is currently offline  sgltrac   United States
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Agreed jim. Now all I need is the discipline. :)

Sully
77 royale
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: James Hupy <jamesh1296@gmail.com>
Sender: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2011 08:26:18
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Reply-To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay

There are at least two schools of thought on spares carried for "what if's".
I guess that it depends on whether you are a plumber (think rear view when
viewed from under the sink cabinet) or a belt and suspenders kinda guy. Some
try to plan for every conceivable malfunction, and carry spares to beat
Murphy at his own game, and others carry AAA towing and a high limit Visa
Card. Both approaches work, just differently. I kinda prefer to use what I
was taught in the Military. If it is running, you drive it. When it isn't
running, the hood better be up and you better be under it performing your
PM, checking wires, hoses, belts, leaks, fluid levels, battery state, air
pressure, you name it. I don't know how many rallies I have been to when
Sunday morn rolls around, you hear the sound of Oldsmobiles firing up, and
many of them before the fan clutch disengages are in gear and heading out on
the highway. No walk arounds, no windshield cleaning, no turn signal and
brake light checks, no air pressure checks, no nothing. I think the place to
replace faulty vacuum hoses, belts, coolant hoses and the like is not
alongside the busy interstate with 18 wheelers whizzing by, but at your
leisure in your shop. JWID, doesn't make me better than you, just different.

Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403

On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 8:01 AM, John R. Lebetski <gransport@aol.com> wrote:

>
>
> Well at that price I ordered one as a spare. I think that's less than the
> price of a module, pickup and coil. I'm sure Dick's is exactly correct, but
> this is just as a limp home drop in as my OEM is still fine.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Chicago, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Sully 77 Royale basket case. Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list) Seattle, Wa.
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128631 is a reply to message #128586] Sat, 04 June 2011 12:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
Senior Member
If you don't have a spare it would be great piece of mind to know you have it if you need it or any parts off of it. If your pick up coil goes bad it is a lot easier to just pop in the spare distributor. I had to use my spare when my pick up shorted out. A lot of spare stuff that isn't needed very often can be stored out of the way by taking a few screws out of the panel that holds the toilet paper holder under the bathroom sink .
Roy


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128659 is a reply to message #128618] Sat, 04 June 2011 16:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
k2gkk wrote on Sat, 04 June 2011 10:07


Reply from the seller Skip White as mentioned by
Peter (below) states that the coil is in the cap.

Is that true?



Yes the coil is located dead center on top and should be underneath the red top cover.

You can buy a cap with or with out a coil in it. From the pictures it appears to have the coil installed


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128669 is a reply to message #128659] Sat, 04 June 2011 16:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
My opinion only, but I think it would make a good spare or source of spare parts. Obviously it has the wrong advance curve. The write up says the vacuum advance is adjustable. I'd set it at 10 degrees and if I had an emergency throw it in. If it still pings simply disconnect the vacuum advance hose and continue driving until I get to where I can repair the original or set the static timing back a little.

I have had 3 different ignition failures on the road all om Paterson distributors. Two were modules and one was a coil. I carry both as spares. The problem is when it quits you have no control on where you end up. One of mine was on the side of a rural Interstate. Two were were on rural 2 lane roads where there was plenty of room and time to fix the problems. If you are stuck in a city with no shoulder parking room, a complete spare distributor would get you going quickly. You could probably get it going before the police could get a tow truck out there and force you to have it towed.

Go for it as a spare.



Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128670 is a reply to message #128669] Sat, 04 June 2011 16:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
Ken, how high is your regulated voltage from the alternator? About the only
that will fry the coil is too great a sparkplug gap, or sudden voltage
spikes above 15 volts. If the module does not have heat sink compound under
it, that black nasty stuff, it will fail from overheating, and also from
voltage spikes.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403

On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 2:52 PM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>
> My opinion only, but I think it would make a good spare or source of spare
> parts. Obviously it has the wrong advance curve. The write up says the
> vacuum advance is adjustable. I'd set it at 10 degrees and if I had an
> emergency throw it in. If it still pings simply disconnect the vacuum
> advance hose and continue driving until I get to where I can repair the
> original or set the static timing back a little.
>
> I have had 3 different ignition failures on the road all om Paterson
> distributors. Two were modules and one was a coil. I carry both as spares.
> The problem is when it quits you have no control on where you end up. One
> of mine was on the side of a rural Interstate. Two were were on rural 2
> lane roads where there was plenty of room and time to fix the problems. If
> you are stuck in a city with no shoulder parking room, a complete spare
> distributor would get you going quickly. You could probably get it going
> before the police could get a tow truck out there and force you to have it
> towed.
>
> Go for it as a spare.
>
>
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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>
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Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128677 is a reply to message #128669] Sat, 04 June 2011 18:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Ken,

I stand corrected! I already have a spare module which I KNOW is good. I
took it out of my Paterson distributor and installed a second one I got from
Dick. I will order a spare coil from him too.

Would it not be quicker / easier to just replace the coil and / or the
module?

Has anyone experienced a failure of the mechanical part of the distributor.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken Burton
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2011 7:53 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay

I have had 3 different ignition failures on the road all om Paterson
distributors. Two were modules and one was a coil. I carry both as spares.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana


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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128680 is a reply to message #128586] Sat, 04 June 2011 18:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
Senior Member
James, I'm 'a minuite doing a PM hands on is worth a lot of piece of mind' kind of guy. But the pickups and modules have been know to fail at odd times not related to how old, new or preburned in they are. (ruling out things like over wide plug gaps, worn caps etc.) Price was right and if the pickup fails I don't have to take off the gear etc. right then. Plan would be to use this as limp home, then fix the OEM one in my spare time and then drop it back in making the red cap one the spare again.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128690 is a reply to message #128670] Sat, 04 June 2011 19:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
James Hupy wrote on Sat, 04 June 2011 16:59

Ken, how high is your regulated voltage from the alternator? About the only
that will fry the coil is too great a sparkplug gap, or sudden voltage
spikes above 15 volts. If the module does not have heat sink compound under
it, that black nasty stuff, it will fail from overheating, and also from
voltage spikes.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403



These failures have been over many years and 40,00 miles.

Alternator voltage after drop through the isolator runs 13.8 hot and 14.2 to 14.4 cold.

Plugs are AC Delco #7's gapped to .038 to 040. Dick replaced all three of the failed components for free but the last time I stuck in a genuine AC Delco module and kept his replacement for a spare. I've not had any problems since then. I also use silver bearing grease (normally used on CPU's) because it conducts heat better that the standard stuff used on automotive modules. This stuff is $10.00 for a small tube.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128693 is a reply to message #128677] Sat, 04 June 2011 19:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
Robert Mueller wrote on Sat, 04 June 2011 18:00

Ken,

I stand corrected! I already have a spare module which I KNOW is good. I
took it out of my Paterson distributor and installed a second one I got from
Dick. I will order a spare coil from him too.

Would it not be quicker / easier to just replace the coil and / or the
module?

Has anyone experienced a failure of the mechanical part of the distributor.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

The pickup coil in the distributor also fails but not nearly as often as the module or main coil. I've also see worn advance weights and pivots and worn/broken springs.

When the pickup coil fails you will be removing the distributor and disassembling it to replace the coil. (If you have one available.) I have also seen the wires to the module break due to flexing when the advance plate moves.





Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] New Replacement Olds Distributor on eBay [message #128695 is a reply to message #128670] Sat, 04 June 2011 19:51 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
Senior Member
[I had a coil go bad on the California I-5 just as I was approaching the dreaded north bound Grape Vine. It was the longest 10 minutes of my life figuring out the problem and fixing it with the Semi's winding up their wheels inches from us and my wife's historical screaming. It turned out the ground on the coil had come off and burned out the coil.
Roy



uote title=James Hupy wrote on Sat, 04 June 2011 14:59]Ken, how high is your regulated voltage from the alternator? About the only
that will fry the coil is too great a sparkplug gap, or sudden voltage
spikes above 15 volts. If the module does not have heat sink compound under
it, that black nasty stuff, it will fail from overheating, and also from
voltage spikes.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403

On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 2:52 PM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>
> My opinion only, but I think it would make a good spare or source of spare
> parts. Obviously it has the wrong advance curve. The write up says the
> vacuum advance is adjustable. I'd set it at 10 degrees and if I had an
> emergency throw it in. If it still pings simply disconnect the vacuum
> advance hose and continue driving until I get to where I can repair the
> original or set the static timing back a little.
>
> I have had 3 different ignition failures on the road all om Paterson
> distributors. Two were modules and one was a coil. I carry both as spares.
> The problem is when it quits you have no control on where you end up. One
> of mine was on the side of a rural Interstate. Two were were on rural 2
> lane roads where there was plenty of room and time to fix the problems. If
> you are stuck in a city with no shoulder parking room, a complete spare
> distributor would get you going quickly. You could probably get it going
> before the police could get a tow truck out there and force you to have it
> towed.
>
> Go for it as a spare.
>
>
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
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[/quote]


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
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