What distributor is this?

[tluz]

Hi, guys,

Getting around to the electricals on the R1 Avanti rebuild. I've been told that a previous owner installed a Chrysler HEI unit in place of the original ignition system. I found a gold box on the firewall, along with what appeared to be its melted guts dripped and congealed all over everything. The distributor shaft and housing look like the ones in the shop manual, but the insides do not, as you can see.

Does anybody know what I have here? Does it make sense to pull it all out and install a pertronix unit? Can that even be done at this stage?

Thanks for looking and for the help.

Tom

[41 Frank]

That appears to be a Dave Thibeault Mopar electronic conversion. Cheapest thing to do is to go to your local auto parts place and pick up a replacement module to replace the melted one. Chances are it will run just fine. NAPA Echlin number TP 51 if memory serves. I ran one for years trouble free. As far as I know there is not a Pertronix conversion available for that distributor.

[R1 3137]

If that's a Prestolite IBS 4012 there is a Pertronix for it. I just put one in, and then and as luck would have it found a complete Prestolite in the 'Spare parts ' box yesterday, that looks like it would run as it sits.
I can't quite make out the casting numbers on the barrel, but it looks like a Presto from here.

[StudeRich]

If that's a Prestolite IBS 4012 there is a Pertronix for it. I just put one in, and then and as luck would have it found a complete Prestolite in the 'Spare parts ' box yesterday, that looks like it would run as it sits.
I can't quite make out the casting numbers on the barrel, but it looks like a Presto from here.

It is a Studebaker Prestolite, but it's top end parts are all for a Chrysler Product, NOT the same.

The Pertronix you are speaking of, are ONLY for R1/R2 Dual Point Prestolite's there no longer are Single Point units for Lark/Hawk so if the breaker plate is single point type there is no electronic replacement.

[tluz]

thanks, guys. The number is IBP 1052, and it appears to have a single point plate.

[N8N]

thanks, guys. The number is IBP 1052, and it appears to have a single point plate.

certainly sounds like a Dave T MoPar conversion. That should be a good unit as I believe that when he made them he rebushed the main shaft if necessary and also installed weights with oilite bushings which was one of the main failings of the Stude-spec Prestolites. (oddly, the ones that MoPar used on their own engines used bushed weights from the get-go, so my MoPar loving friends don't understand why us Stude guys wail and gnash our teeth over the Prestolite distributors.)

You have several options for continuing to use that distributor (which I'd think about doing; it should be a good unit.)

1) buy a new "orange box" and wiring harness from your friendly local speed shop and/or online parts retailer.

2) convert to a GM HEI module, as shown here:

http://www.rowand.net/shop/tech/MoparHEIConversion.htm

3) use an aftermarket ignition box such as MSD or Mallory, using the MoPar pickup as the trigger (if you want to get all fancy with this.)

On my car I am just using the orange box just because it works and it's essentially plug and play if you just follow the directions, but this has been discussed here before and the consensus seems to be that the GM module is a superior product (as it should be; it was developed quite a bit later than the MoPar unit. So MoPar gets points for doing it first, but GM gets points for developing it as technology advanced.)

good luck

nate

[tluz]

Thanks, Nate. That GM project is mighty ambitious. Have to read it a few times to understand it.

[Felix Benet]

If you ship the single point to pertronix........they will make up a module for it.

It is a Studebaker Prestolite, but it's top end parts are all for a Chrysler Product, NOT the same.

The Pertronix you are speaking of, are ONLY for R1/R2 Dual Point Prestolite's there no longer are Single Point units for Lark/Hawk so if the breaker plate is single point type there is no electronic replacement.

[tluz]

Thanks, Felix. I will call them and ask about that.

[tluz]

Hi, Guys,

I spoke with PerTronix techinal support this afternoon. They are happy to look at the distributor and quote the job. Custom jobs average about $300. I also asked them to let me know what it would cost to go back to a dual-point plate and install their off-the-shelf Ignitor, figuring that when the time comes to replace it the off-the-shelf unit will be less expensive.

Obviously, this is more expensive than simply buying a new gold box. On the other hand, the PerTronix is not prone to melting on the firewall. Unfortunately for me, the GM application is way over my head electronically, so i would have to pay someone to install it, thus quickly getting to the $300 PerTronix wants.

I'll let you know what they tell me.

Tom

[N8N]

Hi, Guys,

I spoke with PerTronix techinal support this afternoon. They are happy to look at the distributor and quote the job. Custom jobs average about $300. I also asked them to let me know what it would cost to go back to a dual-point plate and install their off-the-shelf Ignitor, figuring that when the time comes to replace it the off-the-shelf unit will be less expensive.

Obviously, this is more expensive than simply buying a new gold box. On the other hand, the PerTronix is not prone to melting on the firewall. Unfortunately for me, the GM application is way over my head electronically, so i would have to pay someone to install it, thus quickly getting to the $300 PerTronix wants.

I'll let you know what they tell me.

Tom

The gold box (assuming that it is a MoPar gold box and not an aftermarket CD box that happens to be gold) AFAIK is a race only part, you should really be using the black (OEM) or orange (street performance) box. I'd use the orange one simply because it's likely cheaper than the black one and theoretically gives a little hotter spark.

I personally would have no qualms about simply using a new orange box and redoing the wiring. should be no problem whatsoever.

nate

[Guest]

Hi I am looking for this part. is it for sale? please let me know. thanks
Ed
eescheffer@msn.com

[52-fan]

Which part?

[41 Frank]

The NAPA part number for the Chrysler system electronic control unit is Echlin TP 51

[Guest]

I am looking for the distributor for my 1963 Avanti. Do you have this part?