Any DUI distributor fitment issues?

Rentalman

Rentalman

Active member
Hi All, My 345 engine is out for rebuild. Last night I partially took my Holley Gold Box Distributor apart to remove and clean 47 years of grime off of it. I was planning on upgrading with a Pertronix Ignition system. I noticed two of the three plastic isolators that sit between the breaker plates were bad. Their plastic legs that hold them in the breaker plate were broke off. Also I noticed one of the advance springs seemed to be loose but not coming off its post. Any suggestions? If not repairable and I need to go with a new DUI distributor what headaches may I occur for fitment and movement for tuning? Pictures attached for viewing. As always all advise is appreciated. Have a great day.
 

Attachments

  • dizzy 1.jpg
    dizzy 1.jpg
    159.4 KB · Views: 176
  • dizzy 2.jpg
    dizzy 2.jpg
    116.1 KB · Views: 178
  • dizzy 3.jpg
    dizzy 3.jpg
    96.1 KB · Views: 190
You probably want to read all the way through the product description page for this item in the IHPA webstore. It will answer your questions, or at least provoke you to have more specific questions to ask the gang via a phone call during business hours.
 
Mallory sells a advance recurve kit that has springs and bushings. I used bits and pieces to refresh a Holley GB distributor that received a Pertronix conversion. DUI is a waste of money for what you get. If you want a HEI conversion, look up Bill Hamilton's pages here. Benefits include: easily replaceable parts, and if you ever go FI, (which he sells here), you're already halfway there.
 
I gave IHPA a call regarding my breaker plate and they suggested to make a trip to IH Only in Lancaster that they may have the parts I'm looking for. Lucky for me it is only a 2 hour drive. I picked up a good used vacuum curve plate, 2 barrel non-egr manifold for my 345 and a RPT power steering bracket that eliminates the smog pump. Mike also took a look at my distributor and checked for side wobble on the shaft and looked at my springs and said it was in good shape to use with the conversion. All is good. Thanks for the info on the recurve kit you suggested. I will look into it.
 
Dealbreaker74 said:
Mallory sells a advance recurve kit that has springs and bushings. I used bits and pieces to refresh a Holley GB distributor that received a Pertronix conversion. DUI is a waste of money for what you get. If you want a HEI conversion, look up Bill Hamilton's pages here. Benefits include: easily replaceable parts, and if you ever go FI, (which he sells here), you're already halfway there.
Click to expand...
Are you basing your opinion of the DUI distributor based on what you have read online or from personal use? I don't think they are a waste of money and out perform most do it yourself conversions.
 
JEff, I am implying that the benefits of such a "hotrod" piece of gear will likely never be realized on an application like an International motor. And yes, I have experience with them. Someone who has a hot Mopar 440 or any other engine designed to live in the 6000 RPM realm will more likely see the benefit. But in engines like ours, I don't see the advantage, and with the added issues getting it to fit, I'll spend my money on other things (a multi spark discharge ignition box, for instance). I know these distributors are products you sell, but in this case I think I'll agree to disagree. Cool?
 
Dealbreaker74 said:
JEff, I am implying that the benefits of such a "hotrod" piece of gear will likely never be realized on an application like an International motor. And yes, I have experience with them. Someone who has a hot Mopar 440 or any other engine designed to live in the 6000 RPM realm will more likely see the benefit. But in engines like ours, I don't see the advantage, and with the added issues getting it to fit, I'll spend my money on other things (a multi spark discharge ignition box, for instance). I know these distributors are products you sell, but in this case I think I'll agree to disagree. Cool?
Click to expand...
Just wanted to know why you thought it was a waste of money. Everyone has an opinion, some based off of real world experience, others from what they have read online. I'll stick with my real world experience on this one though.
 
Hi Jeff, I would be interested to know why a DUI performs better than say a stock Dizzy with a Pertronics. Not opinions, but facts. A distributor does 2 basic things, makes a spark and times when that spark happens. Does it have a different advance curve?

From a physical perspective I get that the high voltage terminals seal better and that the built in coil has a bunch less connections to fail.
 
To respond to the original poster, and his question directly: See photos below.......
DUI installed with the 90° water neck and with the "offset" water neck.
Both are on the same SV-392 engine.
I find that the DUI fits quite well.
DUI Distributor - with 90° Outlet.jpg
DUI Distributor - with Offset Outlet.jpg
DUI Distributor - with Offset Outlet.jpg
 
FDChappie said:
Hi Jeff, I would be interested to know why a DUI performs better than say a stock Dizzy with a Pertronics. Not opinions, but facts. A distributor does 2 basic things, makes a spark and times when that spark happens. Does it have a different advance curve?

From a physical perspective I get that the high voltage terminals seal better and that the built in coil has a bunch less connections to fail.
Click to expand...
The main advantage as to why a new DUI distributor will out perform a stock distributor with a Pertronix upgrade is the timing curve. From the factory, IH put what I would call a very conservative timing curve or "dump truck tune" to keep their engines within emissions laws, fuel mileage regulations and make it survive at least the warranty period. The DUI normally has a much more aggressive timing curve to it(I say normally because each one is special ordered and tuned according to application and customer expectations), and therefore will have better performance than a stock Holley or Prestolite distributor. You can achieve the same results as a DUI distributor with a stock Holley or Prestolite distributor by recurving it, but unfortunately not every corner gas station or repair shop has a distributor machine let alone the assortment of weights, springs and bushings to get this done.
 
The Pertronix in my Scout has worked reliably since about the mid 90's. I used to keep a spare points and condenser handy, but I don't remember where it is any more. Still need to check the advance diaphram and lube mechanical advance every now and then. It would be cool to have a 100% electronic advance for these engines.
 
FDChappie said:
The Pertronix in my Scout has worked reliably since about the mid 90's. I used to keep a spare points and condenser handy, but I don't remember where it is any more. Still need to check the advance diaphram and lube mechanical advance every now and then. It would be cool to have a 100% electronic advance for these engines.
Click to expand...

You can running Duraspark converted OE units with Bill Hamiltons system. mine works minty.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top