My '82 GL is having some kind of problem with the electronics in its distributor. I can be driving along for 30 mins. sometimes only 15 mins and she'll start misfiring and the tach starts jumping all over the place. Finally she'll just stall. I've narrowed it down to the electronics in the distributor overheating because if I take my distributor cap off and place an icepack (I know it sounds crazy) on the insides for about 30 seconds she'll start right up, and take me about another five miles before she overheats again. I've been told that you can't replace the electronics alone and that I'll have to replace the whole distributor. I've priced them at about $170. Do I have any other options other than a used one of course?

Get yourself a used one.

For whatever it is worth, is your o-ring on the dist. shaft worn out and it is introducing oil into the distributor? I just had a problem with one of my 1994 Nissan Altima's with 144K miles. I just replaced the o-ring and cleaned the electronics well with electronics parts cleaner and put everything back together. Car has been working perfect for >2 weeks now. My tach was going nuts as well, until the car died in the middle of traffic and I had to get it towed home. Like I said - do not know if this could be your problem. On the other hand, if the dist. shaft bearings are worn and you have developed play on the shaft, then your distributor will need replacing.

aba4430

I think I had the same heating problem many moons ago with my red '82 hatch (the original "TAHO 4RE"). At the time (10+ years ago), it was possible to get the small electronics pack from Subaru to replace the one in the distributor. I remember it being outrageously expensive - even then.

 

Who told you that you couldn't get just the electronics? If it was not a Subaru dealer, I'd call one or two of them and see - and try to get a part number. Then go online and search with the part number.

 

If that doesn't work, I would say that your best bet would be to get a JY distributor.