Buzzy Distributor... Upgrade?

[Burgersquatch]

Back with my 73 k10.... distributor has been a bit buzzy, mostly at idle. From what I've been reading the points/rotor could be bad but could also be a worn bushing which means new dizzy.

Thinking about MSD... but can I replace just the dizzy (#8361), or do I also need a coil (#8202) and ignition controller (#6425) ? I'd love to drop $500 on all of it but I don't have that kind of money.

Is there another/better solution to this situation?

[Fairlane514]

How about a HEI, Summit has the MSD brand for 135.95, or their house brand for 89.95. No more points.

[Burgersquatch]

Yeah, HEI.

Went to the MSD site and plugged in my truck info and what came back were the parts numbers I mentioned. The MSD Pro-Billet Street #8361 is $215 on Summit. The ignition module 6425 is $220 and the ignition coil 8202 is $40.

Am I looking at correct parts for my truck (350 v8)?
Is this money worth spending? (Besides needing a distributor).
Is there much difference between the 8361 and a less expensive model?
Can I just upgrade the dizzy without the coil and/or ignition controller?

[Fairlane514]

What I suggested is a HEI distributor. It has the coil on top of the cap. Just stab it correctly into the engine, supply your coil hot wire to the spade connector on the HEI and you should be ready to fire it up.

89.95 for the Summit or 135.95 for the MSD.

[jaredts]

Skip White Performance hei for not much more than $50.  I think you have to run a new 12v acc wire from the fuse box because the points distributor uses a resistance wire.  The cheapest HEI will be a huge upgrade over what you have.

[Fairlane514]

That is true run a new wire from the fuse box, its marked "ACC" and looks like it made just for what you are doing. You need a full12v source for the HEI

[bd]

...run a new wire from the fuse box, its marked "ACC" and looks like it made just for what you are doing....

Did you mean to say "IGN"?

[Fairlane514]

Sorry, yes "IGN" it has to have power in the key "on" and "start" position.

[bake74]

     http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/hei.htm
     Here is a article to tell you how and what needs to be done to swap to a HEI distributor, I did it on my 74 and only spent the money on the dist. and 1 wire from the junk yard.

[Burgersquatch]

Thanks guys, huge help.

Been watching some MSD videos about HEI distributors and installation. Starting to get an idea of what's going on.
I was comparing the different HEI models on Summit and there's not much difference. If the Summit brand will work fine, I don't mind saving a few bucks over MSD.

[bd]

MSD makes a quality distributor, but they use a sealed ball bearing at the top of the shaft that requires periodic maintenance/replacement.  The bearings are readily available from industrial supply outlets, but a bit of a nuisance to service every few years on a DD!

[Burgersquatch]

Popped the cap on my distributor yesterday and everything looks clean and new. And yeah, it's possible the previous owner installed a new rotor and cap and the gear shaft inside the housing has a worn bushing/bearing and still needs replacing. Then because I was talking about it, it wasn't making the buzzing sound after I put the cap back on and started the motor. It's possible it gets buzzy first thing in morning when it's cold. My truck lives outside in South Lake Tahoe so it's pretty cold in the morning.

Still interested in a better performing part but at the same time, if I don't have to spend money on something that is working already, I'm probably gonna hold onto my money.

[VileZambonie]

If you are hanging onto a worn points ignition distributor to save money you're effectively losing money just in fuel eceonomy alone. There's a reason breaker points were discontinued in 1975. If you are on a true strict budget get one of these and as mentioned bypas the resistance wire.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-BBC-GM-CHEVY-V8-350-383-COIL-HEI-Racing-Distributor-65-000-65k-Clear-Cap-/130728089668?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e70005844&vxp=mtr

and one of these will help too

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PICO-WIRING-5663PT-Wiring-Harness-Pigtail-HEI-Power-Input-1-Pin-GM-Ea-/330871423077?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d09794065&vxp=mtr