Which distributor for 408 stroker?

-
I’ve not had time to look up the number yet. 3755201
Lack of-ring makes me wonder if it’s not the original.
Picked up the handy tool on the way home. Pulled it at twilight.

Edit: looks like it is a truck 318 mid 70s to early 80s so likely original.

D23EFB5D-515F-4854-9453-068581BD1950.jpeg


363AEF96-F7E6-4D82-B36F-609AC3B7FDE3.jpeg
 
Last edited:
More thoughts... hard to anticipate fitment with a big HEI dizzy, can hit intake / firewall / wiper motor. Stock dizzy is reliable and will fit.
I can still do HEI. I have little doubt the factory GM is more reliable, better spark than the factory mopar units . Just need to add a rev limiter.
Looking at rev limiters brought up the unit below. Looks like a GM ECU, with built in rev limiter. I'm not quite understanding what it actually is yet.
Apparently it has CDI function (2 sparks per cycle, not several like MSD). It's certainly a cost effective solution if it's reliable. Even with having a spare.

pertronix cd rev limiter.png
 
6A9F2CDA-5BA8-4C17-BAE1-5CBA3BDB8DF9.png


Just get this box and plate and you will be golden .
I can help you rebuild the dizzy and set mech advance ... I have a box of distributor parts.
Get a new pickup (LX120 I think) and a low advance vacuum pod. I bought 1 from Halifaxhops.
 
yellow rose said:
What handy tool did you pick up???
Click to expand...
The handy dandy distributor wrench sitting beside it. Kinda crudely made but helped me get it out quick :)

mbaird said:
View attachment 1715472452

Just get this box and plate and you will be golden .
I can help you rebuild the dizzy and set mech advance ... I have a box of distributor parts.
Get a new pickup (LX120 I think) and a low advance vacuum pod. I bought 1 from Halifaxhops.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the offer to help and advice from others.
My armchair perspective so far (could be way off):

Mopar boxes - OK but keep a spare is the word on the street.
GM box is tiny but very few question its reliability. I believe there is a performance advantage to HEI over Mopar factory (the reliability is a bigger deal).

So does the little Pertronix packed into a little GM ECU size seems to do it all including 2 sparks per cycle. Not enough sold to have solid feedback.
Then the venerable and spendy MSD 6AL with multiple sparks. Word is keep a spare. Believers rage at this. Maybe its just because there's so many sold you're going to hear about the fails?

And the FBO box. Same price as MSD. As far as I can tell no wondrous multispark. Longer warranty may be better reliability or marketing strategy. US built is nice for sure.

About the Pertronix magic box. Could they really pack all that in there and make it reliable? I've seen what's inside some of the other bigger do-it-all boxes.
There's some real components in there. The pic is a Summit box (rebranded MSD).
I think I'll go to sleep and overanalyze in my dreams. :)

summit:MSD ignition box.png
 
mbaird said:
Is that the MP hipo distributor ? I never knew they differed inside. Seems I bought a kit in the late 80s with dizzy but don't remember it being different inside ....

Interesting....
Click to expand...
Yes just like a Mallory. It is just the newer Mp the older are identical to stock. Forget where the cut off is on them. Think around pN 409xxxx
 
Idaho said:
I have a mopar one with tag 4145753. But its got dual pickups which seems odd. Google says its mid 80s vintage. Its so rusty I'd rather not use it anyway.
I know there are a few variants with different curves etc but not sure how to choose.
I plan to get one with vacuum advance, not sure it will be used but just in case.

The aftermarket cheap ones I'm just not sure on the quality. I'm not into spending bucks for name brands either. Brand names don't give me warm fuzzies. Not even mopar LOL.

I'm planning either a GM type HEI conversion or using the chrome box.
I like the GM idea except it seems a little messy under the hood.
I'll also want a rev limiter, likely the Pertronix add on box.
Click to expand...
Watch out for the cheap distributor clones. I bought a TSP Chinese version of the MSD distributor so I could run timing control with my Fitech fuel injection on my 418 stroker. I couldn't understand why I couldn't get the timing to be stable. After considerable trouble shooting we found that the shaft where it fit into the slot in the cam gear was such a sloppy fit that it allowed the timing to fluctuate about 10 degrees. Just a warning, might not be everyone's experience with TSP but it was mine. Ordered a real MSD distributor and never had another issue.
 
Daytona Sensors CD-1 is similar to MSD but USA made and has more features.
Used in high performance marine applications and Harleys.
I am running that on my stroker.
It is programmable and has 3 rev limiters
 
mbaird said:
Daytona Sensors CD-1 is similar to MSD but USA made and has more features.
Used in high performance marine applications and Harleys.
I am running that on my stroker.
It is programmable and has 3 rev limiters
Click to expand...
Very impressive with the programming.
 

Idaho said:
Very impressive with the programming.[/QUOTe

It would be more impressive if I ok new how to use a computer to customize the curve ! Lol
My son is going to help me... He is a gamer
Click to expand...
 
Forgot to ask, now that we know what distributor I have, does that spring and spacer kit work for it?
Halifaxhops, sorry for my ignorance but I see you sell stuff - do you have an online store?
 
Idaho said:
Forgot to ask, now that we know what distributor I have, does that spring and spacer kit work for it?
Halifaxhops, sorry for my ignorance but I see you sell stuff - do you have an online store?
Click to expand...

If you are referring to the limiter plate and spring kit ... Yes
 
Is that dizzy still available ?
Sorry ... I thought you were recurving the one out of the pick up truck.
 
Idaho said:
Forgot to ask, now that we know what distributor I have, does that spring and spacer kit work for it?
Halifaxhops, sorry for my ignorance but I see you sell stuff - do you have an online store?
Click to expand...
No online just do it part time in retirement. FBO kit is not mine but highly recommend there products.
 
The stock distributor uses different components than the MP one in the article.
You will either have to get the FBO limited plate or modify the exist advance slots.
Springs may be the same though.
 
OK cool, thanks. It wasn't clear to me the MP ones are different.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Similar threads

V
Ignition box questions
Replies
15
Views
919
Vaanth
Vaanth
MadScientistMat
Weighing options to fix my gas gauge
Replies
5
Views
241
MadScientistMat
MadScientistMat
B
hei type distributor 73 340 duster
Replies
16
Views
894
RustyRatRod
RustyRatRod
canyncarvr
HRR688 question
Replies
2
Views
197
canyncarvr
canyncarvr
D
408 Stroker vs RV 440
2 3
Replies
56
Views
3K
44070dart
44070dart
Back
Top Bottom