4.0 Distributor in 258/232?

[dagr8tim]

I've been reading and cannot find a specific answer. Can you use a 4.0 dist in a AMC 232 i6 /AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ?

I've got a spare 4.0 sitting in the garage and think it would make a great upgrade to what's currently in the AMC 232 i6 .

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

I've been reading and cannot find a specific answer. Can you use a 4.0 dist in a 232/258?

I've got a spare 4.0 sitting in the garage and think it would make a great upgrade to what's currently in the 232.

Will it fit? Yes. Will it work? no. The 4.0 utilizes electronic spark advance run by the computer. Since I am assuming you are running a carb you will need a distributor that has vacuum advance.

 

[dagr8tim]

Will it fit? Yes. Will it work? no. The 4.0 utilizes electronic spark advance run by the computer. Since I am assuming you are running a carb you will need a distributor that has vacuum advance.

Not even with say an MSD ignition box?

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

If the the msd ignition module can somehow control timing then maybe but the 4.0 has a computer control module for the fuel injection that uses sensors to know when to advance/retard the spark. If the msd mudule can control spark advance then sure it could work but I don't see how it could without the engine sensors.

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

You could always swap in that 4.0