my buddy discovered a fragged distributor base on his '97 GMC pickup with a vortec 5.7 litre engine.he says MSD doesn't offer one to replace it and he doesn't want another 300.00 plastic POS.can anybody point me in the right direction? thanks for any suggestions.personally,both of my rides are '73 model chevy's.i like to keep it simple!no computers,no sensors,cheap parts and no expensive repairs!very little plastic! graemlins/sad.gif

You might try logging on to www.fullsizechevy.com (http://www.fullsizechevy.com) and ask this question if you don't get an answer here.

If he has to spend the money, here's a site that specializes in vortec ignitions. Not that much more than dealer prices. Might give them a call, this is not an endorsement; I've never used them. Another thing, I 'think' it takes a scanner to set the timing, all computer controlled and a warning light will stay on and the truck won't pass emissions if the computer isn't happy. http://www.performancedistributors.com/vortec.htm

Yes some of those require a scanner to set the distributor. You arent actually setting the timing though, that motor is actually crank triggered. The sensor in the distributor is only a "cam sensor". If its timing signal doesnt match the crank signal the SES light comes on.