440 distributor on a 383

Is it still pretty close to the valve cover ?
I've thought about trying a Davis DUI distributor, but not if it won't clear.

They used to sell an adapter for that, the difference is only about 3/4". If you're really interested in HEI, just do the conversion with a standard distributor. 2¢

http://www.designed2drive.com/

There are numerous technical advantages to the HEI conversion, but in every day use, is it really noticeable? Kinda doubt it.

I like the concept of the Davis DUI but it is super tall with the big diameter cap sticking up way above the motor. I'd do the HEI conversion to a stock distributor before buying a Davis unit.

But will it clear the valve cover ?

A stock 440 distributor will clear, on the same plane as head-cover

The only advantage (if you can call it that) with the Davis unit is the coil in the cap. Big deal !!

I don't think so, I know the MSD cap-a-dapt won't fit a stock configuration. Whether a 440 RB dist will work in a std B block with an adapter? I don't think so. I can't recall ever seeing a mopar with a large cap at any of the shows I've ever attended.

That huge ridiculous looking Davis HEI thing does clear the valve cover b/c it sticks up so high. I've seen it on a couple of cars, but have no personal experience w/ it.

I’m all for a bigger cap for less “spark scatter,” but @ what price? I haven’t had any problems with my tiny MSD cap



lol, on Summit the description on these say they won’t clear the hood on some cars

These high dollar dist over a stock one is like putting a band aid over the cut before you cut yourself.

I'm sure you know you can buy just the 4 wire module inside the HEI and remote mount it / hide it about anywhere, it's about the size of a business card and about 5/16" thick.

Accel used to make an aftermarket one, it makes for a really decent perfoming low buck HEI and it's super easy to wire.

it's great for older mopars who want to look oem and not mount a chrome/orange box in the engine compartment.

Here ya go !!!!

http://www.designed2drive.com/

Ok - let me walk out to the detached garage and take some pictures ... My setup is B block with Edelbrock Performer RPM heads and Indy valve covers. I have a MSD Pro-Billet Distributor for RB engine in there with the Mopar Performance RB to B adapter. When I was putting this motor together, it was my first B deck motor. All my parts were RB. I never thought much about it when I put the adapter on and stabbed the distributor in. It went in without any need to grind anything. Now that you asked if it would clear, I took the picture. And it looks to me like the B version of the MSD distributor would just kiss the valve cover. For once, things went well when I used a slightly unconventional setup. I never realized this until I took the picture.

BTW - that coil mount bracket took me most of the day to whittle out of a solid block of aluminum using my drill press, belt sander and a hacksaw! After reading through this thread, maybe I'll add the HEI chip and have a one-wire ignitions setup!! Great for dyno and test stand runs!

Thanks Rumblefish, so the photos are the RB distributor on the 383 ?

I gutted an orange box and put the Accel unit inside it so I could use the stock distributor and wiring .

As mentioned elsewhere you'll need the adaptor AND it's LONGER hold downbracket to use an RB distributor, that will push the body of the distributor up 3/4 of higher, the difference in length is below the block mounting surface.

That's true, and a 440 dist still would not clear the valve cover on a 383.
I wasn't sure about the DUI stuff, if that's a chev distributor casting somehow remachined for a mope,
or a modified mope distributor.

The advantage of a wide cap terminal spacing can't be denied, in any case.

Photos are of the RB distributor in a B block. This particular B block is a 400 but 400 and 383 are B blocks and share the same dimension for lower distributor shaft length.

several years back, i made a couple of the spacers used to adapt an RB distributor to a B block. i think i used the blueprint in the DC manual.
i never tried them to see how they worked.

Good morning - There is one for sale in the Race Parts for Sale forum

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3108691/11.html

John

That looks like the ones I've used in the past

Treed me Cab.. I was just going to post it..
$25.00

Dave

What about something like the Jesel front drive distributor?

Jesel is an option.
That plays havoc with the rest of the front dress though.

I've got one of them that I want to try on my next high HP race motor with a crank trigger and a grid