aftermarket distributors?

gestalt1 · 06-05-2010, 09:44 AM

are there any alternatives to used distributors for single plug? i have an early case and the later distributors don't fit and original bosch distributers are hard to find, expensive and usually need a re-build. the electromotive systems don't seem to be a good match for carbs either.
thanks!

Walt Fricke · 06-05-2010, 07:57 PM

How hard are used distributors in good condition to find? Got an idea of what people are asking for them (assuming you canvassed the market)?

I ask because I removed the distributor from my 1977 2.7 motor in good working condition about 1994, and it has been sitting Rip van Winkle-like ever since. I ought to sell it, as I'll pretty certainly never need it (the 2.7 car has a 3.0 motor these days).

I didn't need it for my carbed 2.7 race motor because its predecessor came with an early version of the Electromotive system - the one sold by a Seattle area vendor no longer in business, under what I suppose was his brand name for stuff he bought from Electromotive or a predecessor. My engines have come and gone, but the Electromotive mounted on the chassis just keeps ticking.

If there is an issue with Electromotive being used with carbs you sure didn't hear it from me. It performs flawlessly in that role. Mine is twin plug, but no difference. What exactly have you heard about there being matching issues?

Regular distributors have centrifugal advance, and various combinations of vacuum retard typically. I think the retard can be done by the Electromotive if you think you need it (race motors don't, but turbos tend to need this).

Walt

Steve@Rennsport · 06-06-2010, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gestalt1

are there any alternatives to used distributors for single plug? i have an early case and the later distributors don't fit and original bosch distributers are hard to find, expensive and usually need a re-build. the electromotive systems don't seem to be a good match for carbs either.
thanks!

Indeed, there finally is a brand-new alternative.

JB Racing makes a single plug unit that works very well. Its much easier to adjust than the Bosch ones, is magnetically-triggered, and has ball-bearings, instead of bushings.

We recurve them for each application and its not much more than a rebuilt Bosch: less than a new Bosch one.

Shoot me an e-mail and I'll get you some pictures.

gestalt1 · 06-06-2010, 06:15 AM

that's good new steve, i'm still not sure if i want to go twin plug or not. if a twin plug JB distributor is only incrementally more money than their single plug version then it would make sense to go with the twin plug version. it would be cool if the single plug could be upgraded to the twin plug.

i should have been more clear on what era distributer i'm looking for, i have an early sandcast case so the bore and the mounting ear are different than on the later 69-89 cases. the 2.7 distributers are not that hard to find, its the early case ones that are collectors pieces.

gestalt1 · 06-06-2010, 06:24 AM

also, Walt, what i've heard about electromotive type systems is from Steve on his web site. basically the plug gaps are not great enough for carbs and mfi and they have mis-fire problems. there are plenty of engines that run electromotive systems and carbs and seem to run fine. i think steve is really pointing out is that it is not a perfect match and that it will work but maybe not as well as a traditional distributer. Steve i'm sure would better explain than I.

Steve@Rennsport · 06-06-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gestalt1

that's good new steve, i'm still not sure if i want to go twin plug or not. if a twin plug JB distributor is only incrementally more money than their single plug version then it would make sense to go with the twin plug version. it would be cool if the single plug could be upgraded to the twin plug.

i should have been more clear on what era distributer i'm looking for, i have an early sandcast case so the bore and the mounting ear are different than on the later 69-89 cases. the 2.7 distributers are not that hard to find, its the early case ones that are collectors pieces.

Their twin-plug & single plug units are totally different (as is the cost).

These will fit the early cases (27mm hole) or late cases (30mm hole).