Distributor/ rebuild replace?

[AMX]

Hello

Running a magnetic pickup style distributor with the star-wheel (non points) with orange mopar ign box on stoker small block.

(please forgive misnaming components here)

-Rough idle- timing light even shows miss. Believe it to be the pickup, as the ign box has been replaced with new wiring in engine bay.
-Any high RPM under load the the thing really bogs down. Cap and rotor look ok as well as the new wires. The mount that holds the pick up has a bit of play. Is this normal???
-Should I replace entire unit with MSD (which is beyond my budget)
-Can I rebuild?
-Will a NAPA distributor be ok for now?

 

[lewtot184]

the only thing i know of that can go wrong in the distributor is if the reluctor and magnet are hitting each other. if that happens the engine will run crappy. there should be an .008" gap between the two. other than that i'd make sure the box is properly grounded and do a continuity test on the spark plug wires. some of the orange boxes have issues,

 

[red 69 runner]

Get rid of that setup.I just converted my old original points distributor to a pertronix ignitor 11,use the flame thrower coil and you can ditch the orange box and bypass the ballast resistor,I have had problems for 2 years ever since installing the Mopar Performance set up and getting rid of the points,Just finished it up this afternoon.With this setup you have a true 12 volt ignition system.Car revs nice sitting in the garage,no stumble like before,can't wait to get it out on the road to give it the real test.

 

[The Horvaths]

The only play the pickup should exhibit would be circumferential. If you apply sufficient pressure against the advance mechanism(s) the plate will rotate. It should not have radial play that you can see/feel. If it does, bushings may be worn or similar issues may be present. If it spins without resistance, you may have broken advance springs. I would pull it and check it out up close and personal.
Intermittent spark observed with a timing light could be caused by many things (including the timing light). Variations in the gap between the sensor and hub is definitely one area to verify. I would also look at plug wires, cap, rotor, etc.
as for bog at top end, get the spark right and timing curve right and go from there.
I don't advocate blindly throwing money at readily solveable problems. I strongly advocate good troubleshooting. Then throw money only if and where needed.
Good luck.