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Ebay Matchbox conversion?


Curt

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$270?????? Run away from that! They are around here for under $125 including the correct coil to go with it. Post a want ad in out CLASSIFIEDS

 

There are two style of EI (electronic ignition) distributors, the matchbox and the remote igniter, both do the same job differently. If you have Datsuns in your local wrecking yards look for L20B powered cars and trucks in '78 that had the remote igniter, OR all '79 and '80 L20Bs with the matchbox distributors. Non California '80A10 (later 510s) and S110 (200sx) with four spark plug heads also have the matchbox distributors.

 

The remote igniter is just an early style that has a larger 'matchbox' that was located inside the passenger compartment. If getting one get the igniter box to go with it. If there isn't one on the one you buy there is a very cheap and easy conversion using the HEI module from a GM distributor. The HEI can be bought new for $15 so no problem there and there are tens of millions out there in yards.

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It's your money. How about a used points one for now then? $271 is robbery.... and you still should get the proper coil for the higher voltage or else all you are getting is a pointless distributor with same output as the old one..

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My Idea was source the mounts and buy a rebuilt distributor and coil. I wasn't planning on buying the kit in the listing. I just wanted to verify that they were the correct mounts needed so I would know what they look like. Thanks for the help. I'll give the classified listing a while.

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That is waaaaaay to much for that ebay distributor .

 

Your ad is asking for a base??  Maybe if you just asked for a complete matchbox and be a little patient as guys selling probably would have to go through their extras just to find you one.   The matchboxes usually go for 150. shipped around here.  The remote ignitor type usually go for less and work just as good.

 

Another option would be put an ad up for a good distributor like the one you have,, hell i googled it ands found 3 old threads where the guy was offered points distributors for $30. shipped by multipule members.

 

Points work pretty good and are very reliable if car is used regularly in my opinion.

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Ok, I can't hold the tongue back any longer folks. For the record, I've got a lead from here and thanks to all of you overall.

However, nowhere in this post did I ask if it was a good deal, or say I was interested in buying it. You're offering opinions and vaguely answering my ACTUAL question. I've researched and know what the EI distributors look like, including both styles. However, I could not find good images of just the timing plate and pedestal. So for example, if I found one in a yard with the distributor already gone (very common) I would have no clue if I was looking at the right pedestal and timing plate. I'm not looking to put bandaids on the motor over and over again. The block wouldn't have run for 300k miles if the previous owner had swapped in used parts instead of rebuilding over the past 30 years. So thanks for the help and this comment is not meant to offend anyone as I hope to build "friendships" here and gain knowledge. Sometimes someone is actually looking for an answer to the question they are asking.

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A few years ago, I bought a matchbox distributor, and the person I bought it from even delivered it to my house, for $80 total.  Just the distributor, no pedestal, or clocking plate.

 

I put the distributor into a stock L-16 dual point distributor pedestal.  I had to cut the tab, that the bolt that goes up into the distributor body goes through, off the clocking plate, space it out about a 1/16 of an inch, and weld the tab back on the plate.

This got the matchbox distributor on the engine, but the rotor was pointed between two spark plug towers, with #1 at firing position.  I dropped the oil pump, and re indexed the distributor drive spindle, and the truck has been running good ever since.

 

There are two types of matchbox distributor that I know of.  One has the vacuum advance just clockwise of the matchbox, the other has the vacuum advance counter clockwise of the matchbox. 

 

So, is that E-bay "correct"?  No, the stock point distributor is correct. It has the correct advance curves in it.   Can you put the E-bay distributor on your engine?  Probably, but we are not really sure what engine you have.

 

Ideally, you want the matchbox facing forward on the engine, toward the radiator, and on the opposite side of the distributor from the exhaust manifold.   It would be nice if the vacuum advance is close to the stock location of the old distributor.

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The motor is a 1974 L-18. Original to the pickup. My intention was to get the pedestal and plate from the EI L-4 motor. I just assumed there was only one pedestal and plate for the L-4s with EI.  Then I was going to choose the correct EI distributor that will "drop in". I was going to go with a rebuilt ei distributor for the 1979 L20? I'm not a huge fan of replacing parts that are used, so that is why I wanted to get the pedestal and plate, then buy a rebuilt EI distributor to put in there instead of going the used route. I hope that makes sense.

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The only modifications this truck has from stock is a 5 speed tranny from a later pickup and a larger anti roll bar in the front. The rest of the truck is bone stock and original. It is a 2 owner truck so I know it has the original l-18 motor.

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there where 2 mounts for the matchbox.

Hope you get the correct one. Most times if the puller is good he get sthe whole mount with the dizzy. soem get too excited and forget the base and sell it to another guy and they wine it dont line up right.

 

only way a point dizzy goes bad is the springs or the bushing wears out.

 

you can run  a matchbox with the stock set up if you like.

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Cool, thanks a ton. I hope I got the right mount too. lol. I'm pretty sure the distributor is toast. It may even be the original distributor and that would mean it has 340k on the shaft,teeth n bushings. Cant the vacuum diaphragm go bad as well?

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Thanks,That is exactly what I was looking for.  Rock auto lists two distributor re-manufactures under the 1979 620 drop down menu. A-1 CARDONE and AUTOLINE. Is there any preference of one company over the other?

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