i want to change my old "point" distributor to an electronic ditributor is it possible and how difficult is it..i am new to this so am asking for help

If you have to ask maybe you will need an experienced person to stand around when you do this deed..
The answer is: It is a simple task if one knows how to reset the timing..
First decide which dist you wish to install and get the dist and coil pack ready..
Then take the cap off of the existing dist and bump the starter till the rotor is near the #1 spark wire..
Now loosen and pull the dist and install the new one being careful to have the NEW rotor pointing near the #1 spark wire. Then hook the coil up and start and time the new dist..
The testy part might be the new dist won't slide in all the way at the correct rotor location. Many times a screwdriver must be inserted into the dist opening and the oil pump drive moved a bit so the new dist and the pump drive will mesh correctly.. not a problem to do however..
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

thank you bigjim .....now for the ruely ignorant question of the day i know that jeep way back when used different parts from different veh manuf. ford, chevy, etc., is a 232 a chevy engine? i have been looking at mallory unilite distributors but i didn't see one for the 232

The 232 is an AMC engine.

thank you Brown

Your 232 will take the same dist as the 4.2 AMC or Jeep engine.. But not the AMC 4.0.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Don't be misled..A new dist will NOT run any better than a point type dist tuned correctly. All the hype about hotter this and that don't mean crap! If it runs ok it will simply go on running ok there will be no changes..
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

With an HEI distributer you:
1... Don't have to worry about Dwell
2... Don't have to set Gap's
3... Don't have to worry about condenser's.

4... Will get faster engine starts
5... Get cleaner spark Less carbon build-up.
6... Way less maintenence.

Points every 3000 miles gotta address them.
HEI,8mm wires, A set stock HEI plugs, you wont be bothered with distributer issues for at least 50,000 miles

A coil for a Points system produces 20,000 Volts and drops off at 4500 RPM

An Hei Coil produces 50,000 volts and drops off at 4500 RPM

A good MSD Super coil produces 60,000 volts and drops off around 6500 RPM.

Unless you like puttering around with your ignition system Go HEI. There are very good books on how an ignition system works at your local library and an HEI system is the only way to go!

I thought that with HEI you still had to set the plug gaps...you just can set them wider than stock. Is this not true?

Toolguy...You sound like an ad for hei dists!

4... Will get faster engine starts..
Not true unless the stock dist is malfunctioning!

5... Get cleaner spark Less carbon build-up.
Not true in ANY event!

An Hei Coil produces 50,000 volts and drops off at 4500 RPM

A good MSD Super coil produces 60,000 volts and drops off around 6500 RPM

Well maybe.. But only if needed.. Coils build voltage until the gap is jumped. A high compression high reving engine needs more voltage to make the spark.. HOWEVER in a standard Jeep engine neither coil will build more voltage than the stock coil before the gap is jumped. All that is needed to make the car run is a small orange spark. A blue spark can do NO MORE toward lighting the flame than any other spark..
YES race cars need more voltage. But in a Jeep, the Jeep doesn't know it is getting anything except a simple spark.

Please notice that HEI systems didn't become necessary until computers LEANED out the fuel mixture. It was found that the lean mixture sometimes didn't have enough fuel in the plug gap to ignite the mixture.. So the gap was widened
and a stronger coil was needed to jump that larger gap.
These coils do nothing exceptional in an older carbed engine..
You are correct on the maintnance however.. The price of a new system should be considered when thinking about maintaining the older system.. As there will be no other gain.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />