school me on dist

Just for clarification from what I have read if I were to go into Napa and buy ( as I did ) electronic dist units for a specific vehicle than no telling still how they are set-up with either springs or pods.

I have read over on slant.org that they just assemble these things from garbage barrels full of miscellaneous parts.

If this is the case than how do I know what I am working with?

Over on slantorg there are some good write-ups on disassembling the dist. and re-curving by changing out springs. At this point I cannot even get the reluctor off my brand new ( re-built ) never used units.

I pry up evenly on equal sides of the reluctor and it will not budge.

I am assuming if I were to disassemble than maybe I would have a better idea of what was in there.