FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: c9zx on July 25, 2025, 12:50:41 PM
-
Has anyone tried the Summit Racing branded, MSD knock off, billet distributor? If so, what are your impressions? Thanks, Chuck (S)
-
I have, but not the FE version. I've used several of the Pertronix ready to run distributors in FE's and been happy with them. They use a chevy style cap, but honestly, most people these days wouldn't notice and they're decent quality for the money.
I've used the Summit brand distributor in a 454 chevy and it's been fine. My neighbor drives it several times a week during the good weather. Probably 8500 miles on it so far with no issue. I wouldn't swear to it, but I think they're re-branded TSP parts which are MSD clones. The Speedway distributors are TSP and it looked identical to the Summit one when I had both in my hand. But these days it hard to know for sure with everyone ripping off everyone else's engineering.
-
Thanks for responding. I tried a Pertronics and a Daytona Sensors distributor several years ago (7, SBF) and discovered the gears were not pressed on and larger O.D. gear, ie. no go. I would like to find a near stock appearing all new distributor with a ford style magnetic trigger and advance mechanism and curve it myself. Rich Porter had them before they were bought by Spectra Prime several years ago. MSD has always been over priced but, now they are WAY over priced. I don't mind paying for quality. I do mind paying for just a name. Chuck (S)
-
I would like to find a near stock appearing all new distributor with a ford style magnetic trigger and advance mechanism and curve it myself.
I might not be understanding exactly what it is you are wanting, but new Duraspark distributors used in'76 trucks with FEs in them are readily available from a variety of sources at very reasonable prices. RockAuto has new SKP distributors for $58. Part #: SKDIFD46
-
Urgefor, Thanks for the link. I will have a look. Chuck (S)
-
I've used those aftermarket Durasparks, but one thing I discovered is that many of them won't accept a stock small cap without machining the bodies. The several I've bought, all chinesium, all had cap-adapt for the larger caps. They worked fine, and they are very inexpensive.
I haven't had to change a gear on the Pertronix yet so I can't speak to the amount of interference on the fit. I also haven't had an issue with the gears yet either.
Sounds like you already ruled it out, but for stock appearing but new:
https://pertronixbrands.com/products/pertronix-stock-look-distributor-for-ford-332-428-engines?srsltid=AfmBOoqdLj1iTVX04mIxx3k2lTEyRZaiGMO61G0flK9Wn2xhT-58H1lx
I've also had Wes Adams re-curve a points distributor and then ran a module conversion which worked well.
-
I've used those aftermarket Durasparks, but one thing I discovered is that many of them won't accept a stock small cap without machining the bodies. The several I've bought, all chinesium, all had cap-adapt for the larger caps. They worked fine, and they are very inexpensive.
...
That is true. A little time with a flat file is all it took for me to get a small cap to fit. I guess chucking it up in a lathe will get you a cleaner result, but with the cap on, you can't see my ham-fisted effort.
-
Just realize that it's a "knock-off" aka. "rip-off" product and one shouldn't be promoting this, no matter how "cheap" it might be! >:(
Remember: "You only get what you pay for!" ;)
Scott.