I have done over 20 conversions on my various vehicles and have used kits from Mopar, Summit, Ehrenberg, and Mancini. I even have one of the Mopar Performance (Direct Connection) MSD boxes. The latter is currently on my '61 Newport. It doesn't matter which of the above you use. They all work. The complete kit is the simplest and least confusing for a first timer. Follow the instructions and get the kit for your motor as the distributors have different lengths due to the B vs RB height/width difference.
Ground, ground, ground!
Given the nature of today's electronics I always carry an additional brain box as a get home backup.
Given that I put regular daily driving use to some of these vehicles, and cross country trailer towing use as well as pleasure usage to others, failure is not an option.
The vacuum advance on these units are adjustable and most of us set them at 32-36 degrees of advance. A good timing light will be needed to set that, and a good ear as you listen for ignition knock. Leaving the advance as set when you installed the distributor works well, and you need not adjust it unless you want to find that extra sweet spot for your particular motor.
Here are the failures that I have had over the last 40 years. Module failure (brain box) x 3. Pick up unit in distributor x 1. Shorted distributor lead to box (wore through on rough intake casting due to vibration) x 1. Bad ignition ballast resistor x 1.
In my various 70's factory electronic ignition cars I have had resistor failure (dual resistor) x 4. They were prone to it. Module x 2.
These vehicles were used from 2,000- 15,000 miles per year, and in some cases were on the road 8-10 hours a day. In fact in the 90's I used a really nice 68 Chrysler to pull our hardtop trailer to the west coast and back as part of a family vacation. Not a single problem.
So, pick your supplier and get to it.
Regarding the Chevy and HEI stuff,...just can't bring myself to do it. My late Dad used to call GM "the dent of excellence". Guess he left a lasting impression.
Happy motoring.
