Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Turbo and TBI Distributors

  1. #1
    Garrett booster
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    67

    Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Just curious what the differences are in the two, that is besides one being a 2 pickup HEP. Is the shutter the same and can the TBI distributor be used with the turbo HEP? Forgive my ignorance. I'm trying to learn how to keep my well loved NY'r alive!

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff 135sohc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    SoMd
    Posts
    6,178

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    TBI all four shutters are solid, Turbo (MPFI) needs the sync/position signal to fire the injectors hence the second pickup and one of the shutters has a square cut-out in it. A TBI engine will function barely run with a turbo distributor, I would imagine a TBI distributor on a turbo engine would not run at all.
    1994 Shadow Sedan. 2.2 N/A, A568 400,000 miles. "the science experiment"
    1987 Shelby CSX #418. Long term rebuild and restore ?

  3. #3
    Garrett booster
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    67

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Thanks for the info. It blows me away, that even though the distributors are basically the same, with the exception of the shutters, I can buy a new TBI from RockAuto for $25.00 and a turbo one is $100.00

  4. #4
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    toronto
    Posts
    1,765

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Quote Originally Posted by 135sohc View Post
    TBI all four shutters are solid, Turbo (MPFI) needs the sync/position signal to fire the injectors hence the second pickup and one of the shutters has a square cut-out in it. A TBI engine will function barely run with a turbo distributor, I would imagine a TBI distributor on a turbo engine would not run at all.
    I have read that a TBI distributor will run in "limp mode".
    Here is info on my turbo distributor with HEP timing diagrams.
    http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/sh...ftermarket-HEP
    Regards,
    Miles

    DD '87 Sundance T1, SLH with rear disks
    '87 CSX #432 2.5 CB TII, SLH

  5. #5
    turbo addict
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    MPLS, MN
    Posts
    3,589

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Quote Originally Posted by elmor353 View Post
    Thanks for the info. It blows me away, that even though the distributors are basically the same, with the exception of the shutters, I can buy a new TBI from RockAuto for $25.00 and a turbo one is $100.00
    What is wrong with your distributor? Plastic rivets loose? If so, you can apply epoxy to them and you'll be good to go again. I rebuild my distributors with every engine rebuild. You can drill one small hole in back of housing and drive roll pin out, and clean, re-pack with grease, and rebuild to like new condition. I've even put turbo shutter wheels on TBI distributors. Obviously does not include HEP.
    Todd
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_9970.JPG 
Views:	116 
Size:	1.37 MB 
ID:	64602   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_0032.JPG 
Views:	107 
Size:	1.53 MB 
ID:	64603  

  6. #6
    turbo addict
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Spokane, Wa
    Posts
    9,046

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Some aftermarket distrib's have metal rivets. They'll never come loose again.

  7. #7
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Vigo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    San Antonio,TX
    Posts
    10,798

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    In my experience (dont ask) a turbo car won't run or will barely start with a TBI distributor.

    Dont push the red button.You hear me?

  8. #8
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    toronto
    Posts
    1,765

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Quote Originally Posted by 4 l-bodies View Post
    You can drill one small hole in back of housing and drive roll pin out,
    Todd
    A good tip! Thanks
    Regards,
    Miles

    DD '87 Sundance T1, SLH with rear disks
    '87 CSX #432 2.5 CB TII, SLH

  9. #9
    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor 85lebaront2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Exmore, Va. USA
    Posts
    513

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Quote Originally Posted by 4 l-bodies View Post
    What is wrong with your distributor? Plastic rivets loose? If so, you can apply epoxy to them and you'll be good to go again. I rebuild my distributors with every engine rebuild. You can drill one small hole in back of housing and drive roll pin out, and clean, re-pack with grease, and rebuild to like new condition. I've even put turbo shutter wheels on TBI distributors. Obviously does not include HEP.
    Todd
    I've always removed the drive coupling on the bottom, saves having to drill a hole on the body.

  10. #10
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor jonnymopar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southeastern MA
    Posts
    780

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Quote Originally Posted by 85lebaront2 View Post
    I've always removed the drive coupling on the bottom, saves having to drill a hole on the body.
    +1. Even when I reworked mine for 2.4L use, I never took the pin out of the shutter wheel.

    Internally, I believe everything is physically interchangeable between TBI and turbo distributors. As others have said, the end use is not.
    Jon J.

    1989 Daytona ES 2.4L DOHC
    2003 Neon SXT - gone but never forgotten

    If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!

  11. #11
    turbo addict
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    MPLS, MN
    Posts
    3,589

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    I've had some pins in distributor end that didn't want to budge, while others came out no problem. The roll pin in shutter wheel is much smaller and I find it easier on distributor shaft bushings to drive that bushing out. More than one way to skin a cat as they say.
    Todd

  12. #12
    turbo addict
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Toronto Canada
    Posts
    1,772

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    roll pins..trivial but useful..

    the roll pin in that attaches the rag joint box to the steering box on a 60-70 dodge EXACTLY fits the diff pin in a 525 ..and won't fall out or fail no matter how hard you beat it


    a Canadian , square red robertson screwdriver is THE best tool

  13. #13
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    toronto
    Posts
    1,765

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr. Johny Dodge View Post

    a Canadian , square red robertson screwdriver is THE best tool
    Agreed
    Regards,
    Miles

    DD '87 Sundance T1, SLH with rear disks
    '87 CSX #432 2.5 CB TII, SLH

  14. #14
    Garrett booster
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    67

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Does anyone sell a shutter wheel assembly by itself? When I went to replace the HEP today, I discovered that the shutter wheel had 1/4 inch of play in it. Would be nice not to have to buy a whole distributor. I replaced it with another distributor that I had. The replacement has some movement as well, but not as much as the old one.

  15. #15
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    toronto
    Posts
    1,765

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Quote Originally Posted by elmor353 View Post
    I discovered that the shutter wheel had 1/4 inch of play in it..
    Why not repair as per Todd's suggestion above??
    "Plastic rivets loose? If so, you can apply epoxy to them and you'll be good to go again."
    Regards,
    Miles

    DD '87 Sundance T1, SLH with rear disks
    '87 CSX #432 2.5 CB TII, SLH

  16. #16
    Garrett booster
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    67

    Re: Turbo and TBI Distributors

    Ah, I missed that. Must be old age. lol While perusing Ebay, I found a distributor that had brass rivets holding the shutter wheel in place. Too bad it was a TBI unit.

Similar Threads

  1. Not all 86+ distributors are created equally
    By GLHNSLHT2 in forum Electrical & Fuel System
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 09-07-2015, 03:48 PM
  2. tbi n turbo distributors
    By nvysion in forum Maintenance & General Tech
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-28-2014, 03:08 PM
  3. Electronics Hal Effects and Distributors
    By spmppm in forum Parts For Sale
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-28-2012, 11:10 AM
  4. Difference in distributors
    By moparbob in forum Electrical & Fuel System
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-27-2009, 09:11 PM
  5. Distributors the same?
    By SpoolinGLH in forum Electrical & Fuel System
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-23-2006, 03:10 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •