Ignition and carb upgrade

[427TJ]

Okay, I finally got the brake rebuild on my '67 RS/SS 396 Camaro finished. Now I'm considering an ignition upgrade and a new carb.

The engine (whole car) is stock, 325hp, TH-400, over 107,000 miles, burns a little oil (valve guides, etc.) but it basically runs okay. Hot starts are a little tempermental and it pings slightly under certain acceleration conditions. The Q-jet is a '73 date stock replacement.

I'm considering a Pertronix Ignitor upgrade with a distributor rebuild/recurve as well as a new carb. I'm looking at the Edelbrock 1901 or the Jet Q-jet for my application. I know that I can get the Q-jet rebuilt but I'd rather try an out-of-the-box unit.

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks in advance!

[Chevy454]

I hate to burst your bubble, but I've had problem with both of those units. I *have* heard a few good comments, but mostly I've heard negative...seems like they're VERY prone to vacuum leaks? I helped a buddy finish a crate engine, and he had to send back 2 different Edelbrock carbs before he got one that was decent (3rd time's a charm!).

And Pertronix...well, I know bunches of people that run them, and we used to swear by them as well...until a few of the units went out and left us stranded beside the road. This happened 2 or 3 times on a couple different cars...even had starting problems, but a set of points cured all the woes. Crane has a new points replacement unit out, but I don't know anything about it. If it were *ME*, I'd stick an MSD pickup in your stock distributor and be done with it...

[DarrenX33]

That Crane unit just had a review in a recent Musclecar mag (Can't remember which one ). Sounded cool. Has an adjustable rev limiter to.

[Alan X77 Hugger]

Don't know anything about the Carb, but I put a Pertronics unit in my stock Distributor and Cap becuase I could never get the Points/Condenser setup to rev over 5K, even after three different sets of points. Now engine pulls hard and revs up to 7K if you dare. Rob is correct though, if the unit fails you are dead in the water or road, whatever! Never happened to me, but I don't drive the car to much.

[427TJ]

I checked the Crane website and saw their points-replacement kit. Anyone know how it differs from the Pertronix setup?

If I keep points what's the best brand to use? The ones I bought at the auto parts look like cheap China crap. They work, they just seem chinsy.

Thanks for the info so far!

[budnate]

Bill, I have some extra dist's,you can have one and send it down for the Dave small body Hei conversion, look stock but pack a huge spark, stash the stocker for another day.

send your carb out for a correct rebuild and refinish, I still dont know anyone locally I truly trust, one shop by us has a huge reputation and has a dyno.. but I took a Holley into them this last fall that was damaged during shipping to me and wanted a estimate for the ins, the jerk grabbed the carb tipped it on the side took a hammer to the bent throttle linkage and wacked it a couple times and said here no charge its fine..WTF! I mention well now the linkage wobbles on the shaft a little and he grabs it from me peens the shaft a few times and hands it back again..I wanted to slug the jacka$$.

when I take the 68 in for a pull on the Dyno I plan to talk to the owner and tell him if that guy gets within 10ft of my car he is going to need a wheelchair to go to lunch in.

Bud

[427TJ]

Hey Bud! I just PM'd you about finally getting my brake rebuild completed. Still plan to bring'er by and buy you lunch once this lousy weather blows through. (Better make it Subway, I just took a huge pay cut.)

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
I hate to burst your bubble

[/ QUOTE ]

Please, you must not hesitate to tell of your experiences! That's why I posed the question.

Thanks and keep it coming.

[budnate]

Heck we can skip lunch and just sit in the shop and have some brews and talk cars...dont want any food taking up any room for the brews....

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
Bill, I have some extra dist's,you can have one and send it down for the Dave small body Hei conversion, look stock but pack a huge spark, stash the stocker for another day

[/ QUOTE ]
You can EASILY (and cheaply!) make your own small body HEI or MSD conversion...if you don't believe me, just as Moparts!

As for points, spend the extra couple bucks and get the Accels...they've got a stiffer spring, and are good pieces. And food for thought, a set of decent points will make more power on a dyno than the Pertronix...