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