ISO Distributor

D

dave1

New member
Jul 23, 1998
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I am thinking about replacing the distributor. I have a 73 455 that has bee
upgraded to HEI. I suspect that the distributor is the one used on an olds
and not the one designed for the motorhome. Can anyone tell me where I can
get a new or rebuilt motorhome distributor? I called Cinnabar and they want
$275 + $150 core. Seems kind of steep to me. Are there any other options? I
would like to keep the stock GMC ignition system if I can.

Dave
73 Sequoia
 
Dave:

As far as I know, there is no such thing as a "motorhome" distributor, at
least as they came on our coach's.

As for a replacement, look at: http://paterson-gmc.com/~gmc/motorhome.html,
and click on the red lettered words "Springfield Ignition".

Dick Paterson modifies the advance curve of his distributors to match the
coach needs. He has a $20 or core, charge, I believe. Note you'll need new
plug wires to go along with his distributor and the ones he has are reported
to be very good. If you're going to the next GMCMI Convention in Forrest
City IA this September, Dick usually attends and sells the distributor
there.

Paul Bartz

P. S. Found out during Dick's seminar at Myrtle Beach that the shop manual
is wrong about the direction the distributor turns. Dick said all
Oldsmobile engine distributors turn counterclockwise (hope my memory is
correct as I don't have a shop manual at work to look it up, believe it's on
page 4Y-32 and 33??). Anyway, what ever direction the manual has is just
the opposite of the actual.

Paul Bartz

From: Dave [mailto:DGMDGM]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 1999 2:42 PM
Subject: GMC: ISO Distributor

I am thinking about replacing the distributor. I have a 73 455 that has bee
upgraded to HEI. I suspect that the distributor is the one used on an olds
and not the one designed for the motorhome. Can anyone tell me where I can
get a new or rebuilt motorhome distributor? I called Cinnabar and they want
$275 + $150 core. Seems kind of steep to me. Are there any other options? I
would like to keep the stock GMC ignition system if I can.
 
At the Myrtle Beach Rally, Dick brought 4 Distributors and sold 'em in the
first 4 hours. I'm still waiting on my order that I placed with him back
in March. I did purchase the wire set he makes and I'm impressed with the
design and quality. Besides, where else would you be ask 'What color would
you like???'.

>Dave:
>
>As far as I know, there is no such thing as a "motorhome" distributor, at
>least as they came on our coach's.
>
>As for a replacement, look at: http://paterson-gmc.com/~gmc/motorhome.html,
>and click on the red lettered words "Springfield Ignition".
>
>Dick Paterson modifies the advance curve of his distributors to match the
>coach needs. He has a $20 or core, charge, I believe. Note you'll need new
>plug wires to go along with his distributor and the ones he has are reported
>to be very good. If you're going to the next GMCMI Convention in Forrest
>City IA this September, Dick usually attends and sells the distributor
>there.
>
> Paul Bartz
>
>P. S. Found out during Dick's seminar at Myrtle Beach that the shop manual
>is wrong about the direction the distributor turns. Dick said all
>Oldsmobile engine distributors turn counterclockwise (hope my memory is
>correct as I don't have a shop manual at work to look it up, believe it's on
>page 4Y-32 and 33??). Anyway, what ever direction the manual has is just
>the opposite of the actual.
>
> Paul Bartz
>
>
>From: Dave [mailto:DGMDGM]
>Sent: Thursday, April 29, 1999 2:42 PM
>Subject: GMC: ISO Distributor
>
>I am thinking about replacing the distributor. I have a 73 455 that has bee
>upgraded to HEI. I suspect that the distributor is the one used on an olds
>and not the one designed for the motorhome. Can anyone tell me where I can
>get a new or rebuilt motorhome distributor? I called Cinnabar and they want
>$275 + $150 core. Seems kind of steep to me. Are there any other options? I
>would like to keep the stock GMC ignition system if I can.
>
 
There is no difference between the one for a car and the motorhome as far as
physical construction. Dick paterson at Springfield ignition sells olds
distributeres that have been curved for the motorhome. You can also get them
in Summit for about $149.

>I am thinking about replacing the distributor. I have a 73 455 that has bee
>upgraded to HEI. I suspect that the distributor is the one used on an olds
>and not the one designed for the motorhome. Can anyone tell me where I can
>get a new or rebuilt motorhome distributor? I called Cinnabar and they want
>$275 + $150 core. Seems kind of steep to me. Are there any other options? I
>would like to keep the stock GMC ignition system if I can.
>
>Dave
>73 Sequoia
>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
"The beautiful Mohawk Vally"
 
Dave,

I had Bob Lamey rebuild and recurve a core I pulled out of a 98
Regency. Haven't installed it yet, but Bob gets high marks from Duane
Simmons on his distributors. The rebuild plus the core ran me a little
over $200. IIRC, Dick Paterson gets about $230(US) plus core for his
distributors. Can't go wrong either way. I second Pauls
recommendations to get some good wires. The factory graphite wires run
7 to 10kohms per foot while Dick Paterson's wires are around 800 ohms
per foot. That means more voltage at the plugs and the spiral core
wires don't wear out like the graphite core type.

Patrick

>
> I am thinking about replacing the distributor. I have a 73 455 that has bee
> upgraded to HEI. I suspect that the distributor is the one used on an olds
> and not the one designed for the motorhome. Can anyone tell me where I can
> get a new or rebuilt motorhome distributor? I called Cinnabar and they want
> $275 + $150 core. Seems kind of steep to me. Are there any other options? I
> would like to keep the stock GMC ignition system if I can.
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patrick

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
Patrick:

Dick P quoted $189.00 plus core for his distributor. Shipping would be
extra I guess?

Paul Bartz

From: Patrick Flowers [mailto:patrick]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 1999 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: ISO Distributor

Dave,

I had Bob Lamey rebuild and recurve a core I pulled out of a 98 Regency.
Haven't installed it yet, but Bob gets high marks from Duane Simmons on his
distributors. The rebuild plus the core ran me a little over $200. IIRC,
Dick Paterson gets about $230(US) plus core for his distributors. Can't go
wrong either way. I second Pauls recommendations to get some good wires.
The factory graphite wires run 7 to 10kohms per foot while Dick Paterson's
wires are around 800 ohms per foot. That means more voltage at the plugs
and the spiral core wires don't wear out like the graphite core type.

I am thinking about replacing the distributor. I have a 73 455 that has bee
upgraded to HEI. I suspect that the distributor is the one used on an olds
and not the one designed for the motorhome. Can anyone tell me where I can
get a new or rebuilt motorhome distributor? I called Cinnabar and they want
$275 + $150 core. Seems kind of steep to me. Are there any other options? I
would like to keep the stock GMC ignition system if I can.
 
>
> Patrick:
>
> Dick P quoted $189.00 plus core for his distributor. Shipping would be
> extra I guess?
>
> Paul Bartz

Thanks Paul,

I was working from memory again(I should know better). I just recalled
it was about the same either way. Have Bob Lamey rebuild your HEI
distributor or swap it for a new one from Dick Paterson - can't go wrong
either way.

One tip that Dick uses on his distributors is to install a long screw
through the mounting tab on the filter cap with a wire connector lug
underneath. He recommends you run a wire from the battery negative to
this lug ensuring a good ground for the ignition. Simple enough to add
to any HEI distributor.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patrick

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
>
> >One tip that Dick uses on his distributors is to install a long screw
> >through the mounting tab on the filter cap with a wire connector lug
> >underneath. He recommends you run a wire from the battery negative to
> >this lug ensuring a good ground for the ignition.
>
> What is the purpose of the 'long screw'... to compensate for the
> dimension of the wire connector lug? Probably he means not too much
> more than 1/8" longer or so?

Yep - just long enough to go all the way through the distributor housing
and allow for the wire lug and a nut to hold it in place.

> Thanks Patrick, for all you do behind the scenes to keep this net
> running, apparently smoothly to me and others.

You're welcome. It's my pleasure. BTW, this is the first email sent
with the Libretto.

Thanks!
Patrick
 
>One tip that Dick uses on his distributors is to install a long screw
>through the mounting tab on the filter cap with a wire connector lug
>underneath. He recommends you run a wire from the battery negative to
>this lug ensuring a good ground for the ignition.

What is the purpose of the 'long screw'... to compensate for the
dimension of the wire connector lug? Probably he means not too much
more than 1/8" longer or so?

Thanks Patrick, for all you do behind the scenes to keep this net
running, apparently smoothly to me and others.

- --
"I do whatever my Rice Krispies tell me to..." John said from inside a
1974 Glacier
 
Correct page numbers (see reference in the "P. S." below, are 6Y-33 and 34
in the 77-78 shop manual.

Paul Bartz

From: Bartz, Paul [mailto:s9d3452]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 1999 3:58 PM
Subject: RE: GMC: ISO Distributor

Dave:
As far as I know, there is no such thing as a "motorhome" distributor, at
least as they came on our coach's.
As for a replacement, look at: http://paterson-gmc.com/~gmc/motorhome.html
http://paterson-gmc.com/~gmc/motorhome.html , and click on the red
lettered words "Springfield Ignition".
Dick Paterson modifies the advance curve of his distributors to match the
coach needs. He has a $20 or core, charge, I believe. Note you'll need new
plug wires to go along with his distributor and the ones he has are reported
to be very good. If you're going to the next GMCMI Convention in Forest
City IA this September, Dick usually attends and sells the distributor
there.
Paul Bartz
P. S. Found out during Dick's seminar at Myrtle Beach that the shop manual
is wrong about the direction the distributor turns. Dick said all
Oldsmobile engine distributors turn counterclockwise (hope my memory is
correct as I don't have a shop manual at work to look it up, believe it's on
page 4Y-32 and 33??). Anyway, what ever direction the manual has is just
the opposite of the actual.

From: Dave [mailto:DGMDGM]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 1999 2:42 PM
Subject: GMC: ISO Distributor

I am thinking about replacing the distributor. I have a 73 455 that has bee
upgraded to HEI. I suspect that the distributor is the one used on an olds
and not the one designed for the motorhome. Can anyone tell me where I can
get a new or rebuilt motorhome distributor? I called Cinnabar and they want
$275 + $150 core. Seems kind of steep to me. Are there any other options? I
would like to keep the stock GMC ignition system if I can.
 
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