Distributor created equal

[o1gnah]

What separates a low price distributor from a high. I purchased a low price~$50 from rockauto awhile back just now reassembling a new block to use on. Cheap dangerous? What gives?

 

[WileERobby]

The old adage "you get what you pay for". Used to be cheap garbage vs. quality part. Now, it seems like cheap chinese garbage vs. no-so-cheap chinese garbage.

 

[RemCharger]

I know lots of guys as well as myself that race and get maximum performance from a regular Chrysler distributor. But there are some advantages to fancy ones.

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

Reliability mainly.

 

[493 Mike]

I bought a RA (Chinese) distributor for my 65 Coronet daily driver 318, went through it ( deburring, lube, inspection) and have had no issues with it. It was ordered for a 72 and I added the HEI module mount (had to drill mounting holes) and HEI assy to the distributor, using a RA Ford e-coil. Best starting engine I ever built!
Mike

 

[o1gnah]

In other words it won’t cause my engine to self destruct?!

 

[RJRENTON]

The old adage "you get what you pay for". Used to be cheap garbage vs. quality part. Now, it seems like cheap chinese garbage vs. no-so-cheap chinese garbage.

Perhaps the OP should have considered doing business with @HALLIFAXHOPS........IMO, low or initial cost should not be the only consideration........
BOB RENTON

 

[493 Mike]

In other words it won’t cause my engine to self destruct?!

The distributor is not a complicated device.
Mike

 

[WileERobby]

I bought a RA (Chinese) distributor for my 65 Coronet daily driver 318, went through it ( deburring, lube, inspection) and have had no issues with it. It was ordered for a 72 and I added the HEI module mount (had to drill mounting holes) and HEI assy to the distributor, using a RA Ford e-coil. Best starting engine I ever built!
Mike

I doubt if most people will go through all that.

 

[Geoff 2]

The difference? Probably only the numbers after this sign: $

 

[a70duster]

Really can't go wrong with a factory distributor that isn't worn out. The only issue that I've seen on a distributor machine is the spark scatter. The timing of each cylinder will vary +/- 1.5° from cylinder #1.

Some of the new ones don't have a stop for the mechanical advance so this can distruct an engine.

The word "billet" will usually make the price 5 times higher.