AC Delco Distributor (Page 1/2)
donuteater306 MAR 02, 02:12 AM
Purchased a new (reman) Delco distributor as a preventative measure before a 1600-1800 mile round trip drive. For only $100 and including the module and pick-up, seemed like a no-brainer. Came with some literature about how this is was rebuilt for GM as an original replacement part. Anyway, I wonder if the module and pick-up are AC Delco, or if they went with a cheaper off brand.

The unit i replaced was about a 10 year old A1-Cardone. Wasn't aware of any issues but assumed that the pick-up was probably reaching the end of its life. Sure enough, the connector from the pick up to the module had disintegrated when i touched it, and there was lot of plastic dust like something had been grinding away. So, for $100, it's good peace of mind.
Additivewalnut MAR 02, 02:42 AM
There may be some markings on the actual ICM to signal you towards who made it. For 100 bucks I'm leaning towards the ICM not being AC Delco since those alone go for 3/4 the price you paid for the whole distributor.
theogre MAR 02, 10:25 AM
You Never get an ACDelco part made by ACDelco or GM.
All parts they sell are made by the lowest bidder w/ most have 0-90 day warranty and high markup just to add ACDelco packages/labels.

Save the old ICM. Likely will need a spare.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 03-02-2020).]

donuteater306 MAR 02, 01:03 PM
So this leads us to a big question...What brand ignition module do we trust? If we know that Delco was the OEM back in the day, but they're no longer making quality parts...WHO IS!?

In this scenario, my other options were another Cardone for about $40, and a few "new" distributors for about $80 from brands that I'm not familiar with. All came with the pick-up and module (of course). Some came with a cap/rotor as well. The low price on those units concerned me almost as much as an over-seas built Delco lol.

What I bought does not have an ACDelco equivalent part number, only the GM part number 88864747. Out of curiosity I'm going to do some research on it...Once I confirm my own bad news I'll let you know

Regardless, I'm bringing extra modules with me.
cebix MAR 02, 04:26 PM
I don't think you can 100% trust any brand anymore. That is not just Fieros but even modern cars. It's hit and miss all around.

Actually I've had a reman Cardone distributor for my '85 2.5 for I guess 5 years now? No problems with it whatsoever.
donuteater306 MAR 02, 04:40 PM
That’s good to hear. The Cardone I had replaced worked great, I had no known reason to replace it. I was going to simply buy a new pick-up and module and replace what I had, but sometimes those distributor shafts do not want to come apart and then you’re stuck with a non-running vehicle until you can get a replacement. The modules are simple to replace and at least now if I’m on the side of the road I won’t have to worry about the connector for the pick up crumbling between my fingers. Incidentally, the magnet on the old distributor was cracked in multiple places. Not sure if that matters, but seemed odd.
cebix MAR 02, 04:51 PM
My original was rusted to hell and was just coming apart. It still worked though with no problems.

The only reason I replaced is because I put the original one in an anti-rust bath... and forgot about it for 2 weeks or so. There was nothing to come back to after that.
donuteater306 MAR 02, 05:47 PM
Omg, oops. Kind of like putting spot remover on a dog LOL
theogre MAR 02, 07:19 PM
ICM and some others.... Some makes 2 levels/grades
Example: Standard LX340T T-Series cheaper w/ 1y Warranty and LX340 cost more w/ 5y/60,000m warranty.

WVE formerly known as Wells and Airtex has 3y/36,000m warranty.

Standard and WVE makes many store brands like Duralast @ AZ is usually Wells/WVE. NAPA Echlin was Standard year ago but haven't been in NAPA in Decades.

⚠️Many blame the ICM and problem isn't it but replace again and again...
Iffy plugs, plug wires, and more will sooner or later will kill them.
See my Cave, HE Ignition

Plus many are missing heat shields blocking IR from exhaust hitting and heating the dist etc.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 03-02-2020).]

pmbrunelle MAR 02, 08:05 PM
I did a teardown on two ignition modules:

-GM-

  • Ceramic PCB, so better heatsinking for the electronics on it
  • The wire leads are spot-welded to the terminals
  • The cover was very well sealed; I had to Dremel it off

-Wells/WVE-

  • PCB looks like normal FR-4, would not be as thermally conductive
  • Leads soldered, more chance of the solder melting and breaking the connections
  • The cover simply pried off. No confidence in the enclosure's sealing capability.

Comparing the two, the Wells/WVE unit is pure junk, so I'd suggest installing your original GM module, no matter how old it may be!

You could keep the jobber unit as an emergency backup, but I wouldn't count on it working when you need it to...

My previous Fiero would only run with a genuine GM module; it wouldn't even start with the jobber stuff! I don't have any explanation for that.

[This message has been edited by pmbrunelle (edited 03-02-2020).]