1963 Oldsmobile 98- 394 ignition

[Scottfre]

I am rebuilding a 394 skyrocket engine out of a 1963 Oldsmobile 98. Can I convert the stock distributor to an electronc igniton? If so, what would I need or can I just buy a electronic distributor for it? Any info would be appreciated.

[rocketraider]

If there's an electronic distributor made for the 394 I'm not aware of it. A Mallory Unilite, Pertronix Ignitor or Jacobs conversion kit will accomplish the conversion but I don't really think it's necessary. Get a GOOD set of points/condenser, distributor cap and rotor, plugs and wires and the engine should run fine.

 

Bears repeating that the 394 firing order is different than the 65-later GM firing order. 49-64 303 thru 394 18736542, 64-later 330 thru 455 18436572.

 

I've gotten plenty of laughs off Chevy guys who install plug wires the Chevy way, never considering the distributors on Oldsmobile V8s rotate COUNTER clockwise.

[Scottfre]

Motor rebuilt and running fantastic. Just one follow up ???. Above you mention getting a GOOD set of points/condenser. I purchased echlin at my local NAPA. I thought points were points??? What is a GOOD set?

[rocketraider]

Echlin are good. Those and Standard/Blue Streak are probably the best quality new production ignition parts you'll find.

 

By good I mean old stock Delco-Remy, Echlin, Standard/Blue Streak, Niehoff, Atlas, Filko, KEM, P&D and others. These are built heavy enough to perform well and last a while.

 

Cheap points have lightweight tension springs which cause point float at higher rpm, and the contacts are sometimes not aligned well.