just wondering if there are any opinions on this. i bought a 75 vette in aug. the L48 engine. it had a replacement carb on it but it couldn't be adjusted right as you could smell a lot of gas in the exhaust. i bought an original 75 carb (unused) and a matching distributor(unused) both from the same car. as i saw some of the mechanics work on this car i was going to retune it up completely (was done in june) and instead swapped out the carb. what a difference. no more gas smell an car seems to idle better. i am wondering now if i should swap out the distributor too. any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Factory distributors were designed as a compromise at best, not for pure performance. They had to be durable so there would be no warranty issues, an advance curve set for low emissions, avoid detonations, etc. During that time period performance was pretty much an afterthought.

That being said, the HEI is an excellent distributor. It can set up with a better advance curve, coil, etc. Or...you could buy a perofmance aftermarket unit like an MSD, Mallory, etc. Adding a capacitive discharge ignition box like an MSD 6 series would help as well.

thanks for your input. as i said the carb made a big difference. there was just little adjustments that i couldn't get right so i thought maybe the distributor was getting weak. think i cured a lot of it up this afternoon without realizing it as i asked this before i worked on it. had problem with headlights and traced it back to one of the vacuum relays and replaced it. figured i'd order the other as if one was bad it wouldn't be long before the other went. put the second one in today and started the car and it ran smoother than it ever did. guess there was enough of a vacuum leak that it would just mess with the engine. after i get more of the needed stuff done i will be thinking about what you suggested. thanks

My neighbor has a 76 and he put in a new HEI distributor.  He said it was best thing he ever did.  Like day and night on responce time.  I plan on putting one in my 77, I know my vacuum advance is not working.  Now you got me thinking about a new carb, I get the gas smell in the exhaust as well.  I tried adjusting but no help.  $$$$$$ It never ends....but I love it!!

I concur..   a new modern dist can make a world of difference. cthulhu2007-01-06 18:01:52