Vented or non vented?

[Frank K.]

If the later C4 cars have vented Distributors why are the replacements for the non vacuum not upgraded. The GM replacements that are rebuilt have no means to vacuum. (except the three weep holes on the bottom of the Distributors) Who is watching out for we the consumer?

[Joe L.]

Re: Vented or non vented?

If the later C4 cars have vented Distributors why are the replacements for the non vacuum not upgraded. The GM replacements that are rebuilt have no means to vacuum. (except the three weep holes on the bottom of the Distributors) Who is watching out for we the consumer?

Frank------


All original 1992-94 distributors used no vacuum extraction for venting. Except for very early 1992 (which had no venting, at all, and were recalled), the only venting was the 3 holes on the bottom of the distributor housing. These are NOT "weep holes"; they are intended to provide venting, as marginal as that might be.

All 1995-96 LT-1 and LT-4 used a distributor which included vacuum extraction for venting. The distributor was otherwise "sealed" (theoretically). These distributors cannot be retrofitted to 1992-94 without making several other modifications to the engines. This includes a new front cover and several other pieces that are not even available from GM anymore. It's really impractical for most.

It is possible to obtain a kit which allows the conversion of the 1992-94 distributors to vacuum extraction. It does not convert to a configuration exactly like the 95-96 distributors but, along with added sealing of the distributor it's relatively effective in achieving the same functionality. GM has never offered a converted distributor for 1992-94 applications. So, is it worth doing? I don't know.