Help Identify my Distributor

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TjChillingham

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Feb 6, 2021
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According to the vin I have a 1981 El Camino with a 4.4 v8 with all the ccc stuff. The engine block says it’s a ‘78 305. The computer stuff is long gone and I found the wiring stuffed into the fender. I have an intermittent miss I’m trying to fix. The distributor looks like it might be for the original ccc system. What do I have and how should I proceed? I wanted to do the usual cap, rotor, plugs and wires to start with, but now I’m not sure.
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Michael Watts

Master Mechanic
Dec 12, 2017
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My 1981 El Camino SS has a 290 HP 350 crate engine swap in it .With a Eldelbrock 600 carb and Performer intake .It also has an HEI distributor in it .You can get and or convert your HEI to a 1975-9 car .Along with the wiring .
 
Oct 14, 2008
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That is a normal 4 pin, non computer HEI distributor. Make sure the advance weights move freely and hit them with some spray lube. I have actually seen poor running on a seized vacuum advance canister. You may a bad plug or wire, so replace it all.
 

69hurstolds

Geezer
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Jan 2, 2006
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At first glance, your advance weights are extended without the engine running. This isn't good. Looks like they're frozen in place or the springs are toast. Or both.

There's numbers stamped on the edge of the housing right on the side where the bottom of the cap would sit. Hard to see them with the distributor in the car. But it's a part number and a build date code. That will tell you exactly where the distributor came from.

You also have a vacuum advance can. CCC cars normally had computer controlled advance and did not require a vacuum can. So I'm doubting it came in that car. Although I do not claim to know much about 81 SBC applications, the module looks to be pre-CCC.
 
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565bbchevy

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Aug 8, 2011
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So if the 4 port plug up top is part of the distributor then the computer controls something.
 
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Clone TIE Pilot

Comic Book Super Hero
Aug 14, 2011
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So if the 4 port plug up top is part of the distributor then the computer controls something.

Some of the mech / vac advance distributors had electronic knock retard. Since the OP says the car is an 81 with a 78 engine swapped in, who knows what kind of hodge podge work thd PO did to it.
 

565bbchevy

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Aug 8, 2011
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565bbchevy

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
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Michigan
Oct 14, 2008
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Melville,Saskatchewan
Some of the mech / vac advance distributors had electronic knock retard. Since the OP says the car is an 81 with a 78 engine swapped in, who knows what kind of hodge podge work thd PO did to it.

The advance retard feature is a 5 pin module. I had it unhooked, no wiring going to it as I found it, weird. It came from a 82 Olds Delta 88 Canadian non CCC car.
 
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