Any advantage to an aftermarket distributor?

[bladerunner]

Is there any advantage in buying a fancy aftermarket distributor, like say from MSD, over reusing your old one or just getting a new one from GM?  Only thing I ever heard was the gears on the fancier ones are tougher, so less metal shavings. This would be done with a new crate motor in mind, not just a replacement.

[Irish_Alley]

for a near stock power nothing is wrong with a stock one. i theres post on here about once off ebay and people doing good with them they are i think under 50

[Jason S]

Flat tappet or roller cam?

Stock daily driver truck with a flat tappet cam, then you are probably fine with a stock HEI distributor with stock iron gear.

Certain types of steel roller cams may necessitate you to swap out the iron driven gear on the distributor for a bronze or composite cam gear. 

Follow any directions with the crate engine, an improper mismatch can be very troublesome to your new engine.   Some cam companies make roller cams that are compatible with the older iron gears, but that is not the rule.

[bladerunner]

Just the 350 HO. I have seen some setups with just an HEI. 

[Jason S]

I think the Chevy Performance Pats 350 HO has a flat tappet cam, so the stock HEI should be fine.