Changing/replacing the distributor, Who's done it? Options

[jordisonjr]

I did a seach and found nothing.
Has anyone here had to change the distributor?

My car needs a distributor, and the dealer wants 800 parts and labour, so I really don't want to go that route.
Is this something that can easily be done on my own, with no special tools?
Is it possible to really mess up the timing from replacing the distributor? or is it something really simple to do?

Any help you guys can offer would be great.

[Spider77]

Nah, its the same. Difference in the Cali/Fed spec is the the internal vs external pack, plus some little differences I may not be aware of. While the base timing may be able to be changed, its nothing that you cant play off of ear. But thats why I said timing light to make sure the timing is at base or whatever he desires it to be at. What I meant by align was there is only one way the dizzy (key side) will go in, as the shape will not allow for any other configuration (ie upside down). A slight mix up there. Either way, a timing light and the half hour (if even that) to remove/install/set timing is far far less that 800. Sooooooooooooooo...OP, get a timing light (buy one, rent one, get one from a friend), just to make sure the timing is where you want it! I suggest buying one, because its a great tool to have.