Prestolite distributor swap question

[JohnEJo]

Hi, guys. I know there is a lot on the subject of swapping out the Prestolite distributors already in the Google cyber space, but all I’m finding is about ten years old, or more, so bear with me on this.

I have a ‘76 CJ7 with a 304 and Quadra Trac, and yes with a Prestolite distributor. I’ve read the debates over HEI and DuraSpark’s, but I really would like to go with the DuraSpark distributors.

My question is if there is any updated and more recent information on what junkyard distributors I could use that will work/fit on this AMC 304 (V8) engine? The old posts I’ve found on the subject rarely gave this information unless it was for a V6 or I6, and the one or two I found that did give the information for a V8 were listing vehicles that are becoming pretty hard to find at junkyard these days. Does anyone have any updated information regarding what distributors I can still find that will work?

Oh, one more thing. I did read somewhere that all Jeep’s ‘78-‘90 would work if they had vacuum advance, but they didn’t clarify if it had to be a V8, or if any Jeep with a 4, 6, or an 8 cylinder that had vacuum advance would work. Would anyone know the answer to that?

Thank you!

 

[Armyvet25]

To use an HEI type dist. it only requires one power wire. All your old module wiring can be left, including the module. If you have a tach. you will need to move the wire from the coil to the HEI.
Other than that, nothing else needs to be removed or changed to operate. It would look cleaner though...

^^^ THIS, and the fact the HEI Dist are almost fail proof, with the exception to the module which are still readily available, small and cheap whereas you can keep a spare in the glove box if it EVER fails. They never wear out, keep good timing...probably best Dist ever made....my .02 cents.