Cardone rebuilt distributor reviews

[eaglefreek]

Has anyone purchased a Cardone rebuilt distributor? Mine works fine, but I am finally diving into the Megasquirt install and trying to have the least amount of down time when I do it. I need to lock out the advance on distributor and since it is the factory one that is 27 years old with 170K miles I figured I'd get a "new" distributor and modify it. I can get a distributor from Advance for $45. I just don't see how you can do a proper rebuild and figure in profit for the retailer for that amount. Anyone use these?

[Sunny]

I remember reading a thread, a few years ago on another car forum where people discussed them. People had mixed reviews of them. Basically the overall consensus was that they were cheap, and worked OK for a daily driver. Part of the problem is, they don't rebuilt the entire distributor. Only parts that they deem are 'worn out'. They save a lot of money by using extremely cheap labour as well. A lot of people did return them once they realized they were not completely rebuilt, and made in china.

[eaglefreek]

That's what I figured. Just like most parts store rebuilds.

[mach1mustang351]

I've never had an issue with Cardone anything but the issue with reman parts, especially for older things is that the cores degrade over time.  Cardone has a P/N for a brand new unit 84-4691.  Not sure about the availability though.

[Sunny]

I've never had an issue with Cardone anything but the issue with reman parts, especially for older things is that the cores degrade over time.  Cardone has a P/N for a brand new unit 84-4691.  Not sure about the availability though.

Rebuilt parts are usually OK, but most of the time, I'd rather just spend a bit more for something brand new and higher quality. Especially if it's on a nicer car. Some parts stored do carry 'fully refurbished' parts though.. which are a step above 'replace whats worn, rebuilt parts'. You have to make sure the word fully, or completely is on there though. I'd rather just get a kit though and rebuilt it myself, if I was going to go used anyways. At least then I know, that I replaced EVERYTHING inside.

[shanebo]

Rebuilt stuff is hit or miss in alot of cases...Me being cheap and a gambling man by nature I always get rebuilt stuff, sometimes I win sometimes I lose. The only time I insist on new is if its a part that takes days to get to or if in the case of a failure it would cause major damage.