electronic ignition in an early A

Many here use the ready-to-run distributor (Ningbo) and I recall only one reported failure. That was a shop who has installed several and said the shaft bushing quickly wore. Perhaps they didn't pre-lube the bushing. Eventually oil-splash will lube it. If worried about the module failing, my plan is to replace it w/ a GM 8-pin one since that allows computer spark control, and one can probably fit a 4-pin under the cover. Main downside is they don't make a RTR for the slant. I bought one for my 65 small-block years ago, since I couldn't believe the low price, but not driving that car yet.

GM mounted their 8-pin module inside their "small cap" distributor. The aluminum base of the distributor acts as the heat sink, so that is similar to the cooling a GM 4-pin would get under a slant distributor. Downside is that mounting plate isn't cheap. Search for the link. By putting the module inside the distributor, GM also kept the coil pickup wire short and protected, which is also true of Pertronix. I do agree that the slant distributor is down in the grub zone, especially grubby when the spark plug tube seals or valve cover leaks.