Replacement Distributor??

[LannyL81]

I need to replace the distributor but all I can find are the ones with vacuum advance and weights. Where do I find one with the ignition module and computer advance?

Or can I take the vacuum advance off and put the ignition module in?


Thanks,
LannyL81

[GerryLP]

Originally Posted by LannyL81

I need to replace the distributor but all I can find are the ones with vacuum advance and weights. Where do I find one with the ignition module and computer advance?

Or can I take the vacuum advance off and put the ignition module in?


Thanks,
LannyL81

Lanny,

Do you mean an L81 stock distributor? IAW my parts interchange book, the L81 P/N 1103479 on all transmission-type Vettes was also used on the "1981 Camaro, Impala, Malibu, Monte Carlo, and Sprint with 305-ci and 350-ci-V8".

If you plan to disconnect the stock L81 CCC (computer command control), then the 1980 P/N 1103353 will work. The California 1980 (for the 1981 had engine code ZDB) Vette had also the CCC.

GerryLP

[LannyL81]

Gerry,

Sent you an email, but not sure if it went through or not. Anyways, I am in need of replacing the stock distributor with something that still uses the CCC. That is what I have not been able to find. All I have found are ones with vacuum and/or mechanical advance...I would like to stay with the CCC if I can.

Do you know of a brand that will work, MSD, Accel, etc??

Thanks,
LannyL81

[maxrevs85]

Check out DUI.....www.performancedistributors.com

[LannyL81]

Performance Distributors.....now that is what I was looking for!! Good price and all...but anyone have any experience with these guys?

I did find another one at Ecklers...but its $320 compared to $275 for Performance Distributors....not a big difference, but have no idea what the brand is from Ecklers.

Thanks,
LannyL81

Update: The one Ecklers sells is the Performance Distributor one...just at a higher price.

[maxrevs85]

Lanny , I just recieved my new one from them. It is there specialty and they are knowledgable and very helpful. Nice people. Not small time by no means. Very nice unit too.

Dave

[LannyL81]

Originally Posted by maxrevs85

Lanny , I just recieved my new one from them. It is there specialty and they are knowledgable and very helpful. Nice people. Not small time by no means. Very nice unit too.

Dave

Dave,
I have mine on order.

Lanny

[maxrevs85]

[GerryLP]

Originally Posted by LannyL81

Gerry,

Sent you an email, but not sure if it went through or not. Anyways, I am in need of replacing the stock distributor with something that still uses the CCC. That is what I have not been able to find. All I have found are ones with vacuum and/or mechanical advance...I would like to stay with the CCC if I can.

Do you know of a brand that will work, MSD, Accel, etc??

Thanks,
LannyL81

Lanny,

I tried to reply to your email, but it came back as "error" for some reason.

Was the DUI distributor model compatible with the CCC?

GerryLP

[LannyL81]

Gerry,

I have not received my Performance Distributor yet....so I do not know. It will be another couple of weeks yet before engine is completely assembled and in the car and fired-up.

But since Dave used one, I am assuming it will work with the CCC. I sure hope so...that is why I bought it...or at least I think I bought it....have asked for an order confirmation but have not heard back yet.

Lanny

[LannyL81]

Had a problem with the installation of the Performance Distributor into my '81. The 4 pin mating connector is keyed different from my car's connector. On my '81, the 4 pin connector has keyways on the top of the outside two contacts. On the distributor's connector, one end has the key on the top, but the the other is on the side, preventing the two from mating.
Solution is to:
1. Remove the key on the side
2. Cut a slot in my car's mating connector for the side key
3. Replace the connector body so that I get a mate...either the distributor or my car's connector
4. Remove the contacts from one of the connector and just individually mate the contacts without having a connector body.
5. Re-use the original distributor's wiring harness.

I have not been able to remove any of the contacts from the connectors. Takes a special contact tool that I do not have. A call to Performance Distributor for a different connector was of no help. Will be calling them again to see if they have a contact tool they can send me.

Later,
LannyL81

[Tom Bryant]

As long as you verify that the wires are in the plug in the same order as original I think it would be ok to remove the pin on the side, as long as it still snaps together firmly. These pins are there to prevent the wrong connectors from being mated but it sounds like they supply the distributor with a different year connector other than 1981. Don't plug in the wires without any plug connector as moisture will mess up your connections in a hurry. If the original harness is in good condition and will fit the DUI correctly I'd be tempted to just go that route.

Tom

[LannyL81]

Originally Posted by Tom Bryant

As long as you verify that the wires are in the plug in the same order as original I think it would be ok to remove the pin on the side, as long as it still snaps together firmly. These pins are there to prevent the wrong connectors from being mated but it sounds like they supply the distributor with a different year connector other than 1981. Don't plug in the wires without any plug connector as moisture will mess up your connections in a hurry. If the original harness is in good condition and will fit the DUI correctly I'd be tempted to just go that route.

Tom

Tom,
I ended up just using the original wiring harness from my old distributor. Its in the same condition as the rest of the car's wiring.....24 years old...so why not use it right!!
And I left out another option...replace both connectors with a pair that is keyed to prevent mis-mating.
Another call to Performance Distributor to ask about a contact removal tool was again of no help. They did not have one; I guess they buy the connectors with wires from GM.

Later,
LannyL81