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Thread: Replacement Distributor

  1. #1

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Replacement Distributor

    I ordered a new distributor from Rock Auto, made by WAI Global. It cost just over $200. The car wouldn't start after I installed it and the tach flopped around while I was cranking. The ICM was well out of tolerance ($90 from Rock) as was the pickup coil ($23 from O'Reilly).

    I'm going to try calling the manufacturer tomorrow to see what they want to do. It doesn't make sense to go to all the trouble of designing a new replacement part and filling it with junk electronics.

    Stay tuned for more.
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


    1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap

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  2. #2

    ShiRen's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    I haven't heard much good from WAI... not surprised at all. What was the reason you bought a whole new dizzy? I wouldn't think there is much reason to unless you have a bad core.

  3. #3

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    I have a quarter million miles on the core. It's tired.
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


    1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap

    Shop manual downloads available here: CLICK TO VIEW

  4. #4

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    I called the manufacturer today. They said they never get any returns on it, so just send it back to Rock for a warranty replacement. Don't hold your breath that the next one will work any better than this one did.
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


    1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap

    Shop manual downloads available here: CLICK TO VIEW

  5. #5


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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr_Snooz View Post
    I called the manufacturer today. They said they never get any returns on it, so just send it back to Rock for a warranty replacement. Don't hold your breath that the next one will work any better than this one did.
    Thats cuz the only one they sold ever was to you....no comebacks!
    1988 Lxi owner since August 1995
    336k miles running strong!
    Now running E85.

    Oldblueaccord <<< MY YOUTUBE PAGE!

  6. #6

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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr_Snooz View Post
    I called the manufacturer today. They said they never get any returns on it, so just send it back to Rock for a warranty replacement. Don't hold your breath that the next one will work any better than this one did.
    Can you at least put a mark on it so that when we have to buy one from rock auto we know not to try it when we get your returned one.

    1988 Honda Accord LSDX-I

  7. #7

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    Quote Originally Posted by Oldblueaccord View Post
    Thats cuz the only one they sold ever was to you....no comebacks!
    Exactly what I thought too. The guy had all the personality of a gravestone, so I didn't really pursue the conversation. Is funny how much credibility a company loses when you talk to someone like that.

    Quote Originally Posted by conozo View Post
    Can you at least put a mark on it so that when we have to buy one from rock auto we know not to try it when we get your returned one.
    Good idea. I'll be sure to do or on the next return. ...and the next...
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


    1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap

    Shop manual downloads available here: CLICK TO VIEW

  8. #8
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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    I used a spectra premium TD01N from Amazon for my 87 Lx-I 3 door Hatch PGMFI

  9. #9

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    Replacement distributor is also shite. I think I'll try a different manufacturer this time.
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


    1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap

    Shop manual downloads available here: CLICK TO VIEW

  10. #10

    ShiRen's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    Same issues?

  11. #11

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    Yes. Both the ICM and pickup coil are out of spec and both are out of spec by the same amount as the first distributor. Do you call that good QC when the parts are crap but are consistently crappy in the exact same way?

    - - - Updated - - -

    I'm ordering an ICM and pickup coil for my old distributor now.
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


    1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap

    Shop manual downloads available here: CLICK TO VIEW

  12. #12


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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr_Snooz View Post
    Yes. Both the ICM and pickup coil are out of spec and both are out of spec by the same amount as the first distributor. Do you call that good QC when the parts are crap but are consistently crappy in the exact same way?

    - - - Updated - - -

    I'm ordering an ICM and pickup coil for my old distributor now.
    That sounds like what I ran into with the Standard Auto parts coil. There not making them to the correct spec to start with.

    Keep you old one it might be a good candidate to the HEI conversion we have been talking about.
    1988 Lxi owner since August 1995
    336k miles running strong!
    Now running E85.

    Oldblueaccord <<< MY YOUTUBE PAGE!

  13. #13

    ShiRen's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement Distributor

    I was also thinking that maybe an f22 distributor would work... depends on the trigger wheels for you fi guys

    The hei would probably be pretty simple, I think the ignitors are basically the same, its just a matter of connecting it to the dizzy... Also, I no longer have my TEC, and it relies on the pickup being good.

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