HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Can you install one without any clearance issues with the firewall?

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

yup

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Yeah,but she sure is tight,huh?No clearance problems,just very tucked in back there.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Issues? Yes, it's tighter than hell. Had to build a special tool to get to one of my hold downs. Was it worth it? Hell yeah...

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

I'm thinking BFH:lol:...can you say 6 gallons of sh!t, in a 5 gallon bucket

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

I put summit part # 850001R in my 72 Jimmy, no clearance issues.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

im in the process of installing HEI in my blazer as well, when i finish ill take some pics and show what it looks like and how long it took.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Mine has one and I didn't think it was to tight. Surely seen worse.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Thanks everyone for the responses. I just ordered new wiring harnesses for the HEi and for an in ternal voltage regulator alternator. I will start a build thread soon.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Sorry not meaning to hi-jack....

On the topic of HEI conversion, what do you need to do with the plug gap if anything?

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

open it up to .045

My fingers just slide behind the spark plug wires boots locking ring...finger measures 3/4 to 1 inch, if you take off the locking ring you might gain 1/4 to 1/2 inch, but Accel doesn't recommend it
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...replace712.jpg

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Thank you.

Considering you would just buy all new plugs wires and HEI and do them together....

Is there a difference in just getting new stock plugs at .035 and opening them to .045, or find stock set maybe for some other year with the same thread and depth and the gap already at .045?

Id love someone to post the AC/Delco part number to look for. Im currently adding a 65000k HEI and 10mm wires...plugs are last item.

Is there any tricks to the install for all 3? Never done a points conversion before. I already changed out the ALT for a Internally regulated.

Thanks:gmc2:

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Mine were ordered as '74 corvette wires w/ramshorn manifolds from Accel...stock size wires are 7mm, but 8mm just go into the factory wire holders.

I may be reworking the lenght of the wires, just haven't got aroundtoit

plugs would depend on how your engine is built and runs...hotter or colder spark, but basically stock

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

If my memory serves me, the stock plug for the 350 with HEI is a Delco R44TS.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

My Jimmy's Goodwrench 350 has Delco CR43TS. What's the difference if any? And yes it has HEI.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

I had one in my 69. It was tight but cleared the firewall by about 1/8 inch.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

The AC plug R44TS is simply the small 5/8 plug with a taper seat and extended tip.
T=taper seat
S=extended tip

GM started using these plugs in both big block and small block chevrolets in 1971 and work in pretty much anything up through the late 80's with a cast iron head that doesn't require more reach.
You can go as cold as 43's which is what I run in a couple of cars, but that heat range is getting harder to find. Seems the 44's are also getting scarce. You can go as high as 46's if you wish.
Most parts stores want to sell you the 45's it seems.

For stock or nearly stock engines and close to sea level, I'd shoot for the 44's and go from there.

As far as the HEI's, they are a cheap alternative to electronic ignition. Very dependable. The downfall is the size for me. I never liked the bulkyness and the amount of crap you have to remove for a simple cap and rotor change.
I'm an MSD person myself, used them for 20 years without a hickup. They can be made to look stock as well, if you are into the stealthy stuff. ;)
But a good setup is 5 times the price unfortunately.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Very interesting topic, as I am looking at upgrading on next rebuild. Currently running the point dist, and time for a change! What wiring changes have to be made?

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

My Blazer had an HEI in it when I bought it. I have a bunch of clearance??? Her is a poor pic of it. I think I can get my hand around it no problem. Oh yea, i used a set of Taylor wires that I cut to length. I ran the front two on both sides under the motor mount. ( like a Corvette with HEI ) I have done this a bunch of times with Rams horn manifolds. Looks good, and makes teh wire set look very neat.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

mallory unilite is about same size as stock and uses the OE style wires

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Well, what I do when converting an old car to electronic is pull the main bulk head from the firewall.

GM used a resistance wire that ran from this bulkhead to the positive side of the coil. I have a stockpile of those factory connections used in that bulkhead.
I simply remove that resistance wire from the bulkhead, and use another factory connector with a 10-12 gauge wire. And simply re-route that through the harness up to the positive side of the coil.

Sometimes, depending on the car, I'll keep that resistance wire in the harness as well (connected to the bulkhead but hidden inside the harness) just in case I decide to switch back to points for any reason.
Keeps everything neat and factory appearing.

You don't have to worry about the other side of the bulkhead that runs to the fuse box and ignition switch. GM used all standard wire on that side. The resistance wire was only installed from the bulkhead to the coil.

Keep in mind this is GM only. Other brands such as Chrysler used a simple resistor mounted on the firewall.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Not only does that wire routing keep things neat,,,,that's actually the way the wires were supposed to go when using those ramhorn manifolds. It was done on some trucks as well as passenger cars.
There are factory wire supports that mount to the block near the motor mount as well as on the rear of the block next to the transmission bellhousing that holds all the wires together.

Last time I did this setup there were several restoration vendors that still sold these factory wire looms.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Man Parman, that engine bay and motor look like crap!

J/K, nice attention to detail and workmanship, but I don't know why I have such little clearance

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Do you have any pics of removing the wires from the bulkhead connector, always wanted to know how to do that...special tools?

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Is your Blazer 2wd and the engine mounted in the forward 2wd position?

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

JARRO Thanks man, I knew SOMEONE would tell me the truth! haha

Bouncy---- I have no clue. Expand on what you are saying and I will go look. I am 90% sure I have an OE 2WD frame, but am not sure what you are asking. I will assume that the answer is yes, cause I can get my hand behind the dizzy, and there is about 4" between the radiator, and the water pump

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Here is a pick of a GM connector used in those bulkheads. Also used in old style quick disconnect wires from the 60's and early 70's. I bought these in bulk from GM years ago, but I've also seen them available in various parts stores if you look around enough.

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/PC110010.jpg

Looking at that closely, you can see the top portion of the connector is not attached. If you simply squeeze the top and bottom portion together with a pair of needle nose plyers,,,then push on the connector and the wire will pop right out of the bulkhead.

When you pull the bulkhead from the firewall you will see a bunch of these connectors staring at you. Just squeeze and push the one you want to remove from the backside, and the wire will pop out of the bulkhead from the front side. Very simple.
Once you have your new wire made, just simply push it back into the bulkhead until it snaps into place, plug the bulkhead in and you are done.

Sorry I don't have detailed picks but this shot of the connector should give you an idea of what you are dealing with. I'm sure once you dig in you'll find it's pretty self explainatory. Hope this helps.

Edit: No special tools required.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

All by myself I figured it out!!! I got up out of my chair, and raised the hood on my Blazer. looks like there is three holes for the motor mount stands. Mine are in the first two ( closest to the rad ) I will bet there is 4-6 inches behind the dizzy

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Great info, thanks for taking the time explain it to me, very good job! I may dig around to see if I can find a connector to try it out...I have seen those before, but never knew what thet were for

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Thanks for having a sense of humor, if nothing else, it always feel good to laugh

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Thats why you have clearance. On the 4X4, the engine is mounted further back, and the valve cover and hei get real close to the firewall.

Re: HEI dist in 4x4 72 Jimmy/Blazer
 

Dang you 2WD guys have all the luck:lol: