Distributor Question

[Esteban]

Is a distributor from a L16 the same as a L18 or a L20? 

 

 

 

[Dat Lurka]

You can interchange the distributors but you will need to swap the pedestal if swapping L20 dist to l16/18. I think the l16/18 distributors are the same.

[d510addict]

I think it is more dependant on year than anything else. Newer l20b's have EI dizzy IIRC which may require swapping the pedastal to complete the swap. If you do the swap just grab the pedastal as well and compare.

[datzenmike]

They are all interchangeable but not exactly the same. There are dozens of types of L dizzys, the differences being if used for a standard or automatic,  California or federal, the year, emission requirements, weight of vehicle. (truck, car) Some are single points, some dual points and after '77 there were no points at all. The L20B has a larger diameter cap  and rotor then the L16/18 dizzy I believe.

[Esteban]

Thanks for the tips. I was having trouble with mine. Some one gave me one out of a 78 with a L 20. Want to know if it would work in mine. Just more spare parts. 

 

Thanks

Ratsun peeps!!

[datzenmike]

The L20B can work in an L16/18 motor. It would be easier if you also have the L20B pedestal base that bolts it to the timing cover. The L16'18 base has the upper L20B dizzy clocked around in an odd position and hard to adjust the timing properly.

 

A '78 dizzy is also an EI type so you need the remote igniter box or a General Motors HEI unit and a matching EI coil to properly make it work. Totally worth it though.

[banzai510(hainz)]

distributros are not the same but all will bolt to a L series front cover.

They must be a matching assembly

 

one thing to not that if you put on a Point dissy on a later EI car/truck you dont have a hot start wire and a balalst resisitor.

[banzai510(hainz)]