Best Vortec Distributors?

[Schurkey]

A coil is what $20 and takes 15 minutes to change, if the rivets are gone already.

The problem is that cheap-junk Chinese coils are likely not as good as a properly-functioning OEM coil. They're more-prone to future failure even if the OEM coil was defective.

It sucks that replacement parts can't be trusted to meet OEM specs, even when the box they come in says they do.

Better to perform the Ohmmeter and visual checks on the existing coil, and then verify that it'll reliably fire a spark-tester calibrated for HEI.

 

[Supercharged111]

That tests the coil's external insulation--the plastic cap on top of the housing.


Yep, an internal short from either the primary or secondary windings to each other, the metal coil case, or the internal laminated-steel core. The coil can become weak--still makes a spark, but won't be a full-power spark. As time goes by, the spark gets weak enough to notice under load...and then weak enough that the engine barely runs.


Seems...unusual.

Shouldn't I be nuking ICMs too? I guess that's neither here nor there, I should just ohm the thing out. I think I have one on the shelf from a 4.3 to try as well.

 

[BNielsen]

A coil is what $20 and takes 15 minutes to change, if the rivets are gone already.

I've got a new coil and ICM; Davis Unified Ignition.
I've been trying to get a proper data-log before I replace the parts. The shop I had the truck at for a tune-up did the coil and ICM, only to replace them with the factory ones when the truck wouldn't start because of the faulty cap and rotor, and instead of bolting them, they re-riveted the coil.

 

[letitsnow]

and instead of bolting them, they re-riveted the coil.

That sucks. I had to grind my rivets in the middle of a snowstorm, while it was 5 degrees F, while on vacation in Texas.

^^^That might make the task seem easier.

 

[BNielsen]

That sucks. I had to grind my rivets in the middle of a snowstorm, while it was 5 degrees F, while on vacation in Texas.

^^^That might make the task seem easier.

Definitely makes me appreciate my shade street in front of my building a little more.

If only the 454 coil was as easy to reach as the small blocks though.

 

[User_name]

Orilleys sells a dist with an aluminum base that works great for like 130 beans

 

[Supercharged111]

Orilleys sells a dist with an aluminum base that works great for like 130 beans

And is likely made in China from garbage.

 

[Captainfab]

This is the distributor I would recommend.

NEW TRUCK MARINE BILLET VORTEC DISTRIBUTOR V6 V8 305 350 454 4.3 5.0 5.7 7.4 USA | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW TRUCK MARINE BILLET VORTEC DISTRIBUTOR V6 V8 305 350 454 4.3 5.0 5.7 7.4 USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Yes it is spendy, but it is made in the USA from actual billet aluminum. Not just machined cast aluminum as the cheapos are.

 

[letitsnow]

Definitely makes me appreciate my shade street in front of my building a little more.

If only the 454 coil was as easy to reach as the small blocks though.

Oh yes, I forgot about that.

 

[Supercharged111]

This is the distributor I would recommend.

NEW TRUCK MARINE BILLET VORTEC DISTRIBUTOR V6 V8 305 350 454 4.3 5.0 5.7 7.4 USA | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW TRUCK MARINE BILLET VORTEC DISTRIBUTOR V6 V8 305 350 454 4.3 5.0 5.7 7.4 USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Yes it is spendy, but it is made in the USA from actual billet aluminum. Not just machined cast aluminum as the cheapos are.

Even comes with a new GM cam sensor. That looks legit right there.