How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Hi All,
First post here, but have been gathering great information from the forum. Love it.

I recently bought a 71 C10 long-bed. I've been doing some projects on it. In researching on this forum about how to get my Temp gauge working, I've come across discussions about HEI distributors.

Dumb question - how do I know if I've got one. It's a 350 with an Edelbrock carb. But what else should I look for determine?

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Google HEI, look at pics, then look at yours. HEI looks much bigger since the coil is in there, making the cap way bigger.

Or look for an external coil and a coil wire going to the top center of the cap.

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Welcome to the 67-72 Chevy Truck Board from West Michigan!

Attached is a picture of an HEI installed in a BBC. The distributors are the same as the SBC distributors.

Jim

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Since we're talking about HEI, remember that a lot of us have robbed them out of mid-70s and 80s cars because even though they weren't great at high RPM, they were self-contained and pretty much bulletproof otherwise.

I like to point out, however, that the advance curve and the vacuum advance pot are, by definition, set up for a 70s or 80s smogmobile. How different that is in terms of total advance and when it comes in I'm not really sure, but it's probably worth checking if you're concerned about having that kind of thing correct.

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

HEI comes in small cap with an external coil too

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Yep... those came on TBI equipped vehicles. But I'm sure he's probably talking about large cap with the internal "coil in cap". :)

Gary

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Post a picture of your engine and we can let you know what you have!
Welcome to the board from Texas

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Take the cap off and see if you have points and condensor in there.

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Thanks for the help, guys. I'll take a closer look and post a picture. Appreciate the responses.

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Here's what I'm looking at guys. What do you think is in there?

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

That is a stock set up, not HEI

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Does that mean points in 71 350?

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Yes, you should have points and a rotor inside the cap and your coil is external right next to the distributor

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Thanks for the help, 70ShortFleet!

Now the next question - should i upgrade to HEI for more power, reliability, and ease of maintenance?

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

oh yes, and do not tie into the existing wires , just run a heavy gage red wire from a Ingnition source from the fuse box to the distributor when you install it ,

make sure the fuse source only has power when the ignition is on

Easy install,

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

If you don't care about being stock original, then yes put one in!

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Thanks guys. BigMac, lots of choices on Summit Racing. Have a favorite? I'm not looking to build a race engine, but a few more HP and smooth running would be great.

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8360/reviews/

This one looks simple and solid. Any compatibility issues with the stock 350?

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

You can also maintain your stock look with a stock cap by installing Pertronox in place of your points. Lots of info regarding Pertronix conversion on this site, explore before you buy HEI and decide that it's huge and hideous! Some think that. I'm on the fence - I prefer the stock look, but HEI is clearly a FAR superior system to points. That's why I usually go with Pertronix. Stock look, no points. Cool setup in my book.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-1281/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-40011/overview/

Note these are the Flamethrower I systems - there is also a Flamethrower II that includes additional features. Good luck on your conversion!

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

I'm liking what I'm reading about the Pertronix conversion, Jocko. Might go that route. Seems simple and everybody has great feedback on it.

Do you notice a decent power increase?

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

do not waste your money on that one with a stock motor, no sense in spending that much money, If you do not go with the petronix version, I use a MSD Street fire have not had any problem

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

If you want to upgrade the ignition then go to a msd 6al-2 and msd pro billet distributor. You can also adjust the mechanical advance curve to where your motor needs it. Much much better than an hei. If you must have an hei then use the msd pro billet hei. http://m.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8365

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

you won't notice a major change in performance with pertronix, but you will notice it doesn't degrade as new points wear to become old points, because there aren't any. You'll see a very minor increase in power, if combined with good quality plug wires, a pertronix hi-volt coil, along with the pertronix point replacement unit. It's nothing to write home about, but it is a great upgrade for maintainability. If you want to maintain any sort of stock look, I think it's the best/least expensive way to go. You need to pull the dizzy to install - I had a Pertronix I and had to shim the distro shaft. It's not always required, but it's required to check end play, otherwise timing will be erratic. (this problem is present with points also... it's just a smart thing to do). The shim(s) minimize end play in the distro shaft.

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

too much money for a stock set up and too much dizzy to try to set up for a new guy. he just learned the difference between a HEI and a Points style.

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Good point.

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

Stick a Pertronix in a factory or repro small body housing. Even with a stock coil it'll be plenty for non-supercharged applications, particularly if you're under 11:1 compression, which I presume you must be.

I have the Ignitor III in my 402 and the Ignitor II in my 502, both are great. The III causes problems with some repro tachs, but I borrowed and then bought a unit that appears to work with the III as well (random luck,I think).

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

I wouldn't underestimate him. He DOES own a 67-72 Chevy (71). This is just like learning anything else. Gotta start somewhere. When I put my first hei in my Chevelle I went for the Accel dizzy and full curve kit. Man what a difference. All I did was read instructions. I know-not really a manly thing to do but they were right there and in words that I understood and all so why not read them.
If it's running ok now then just do some reading up on the subject. Meanwhile drive your new truck til it starts acting up.
You will need new wires too so save this upgrade for the next tune up and you will be amazed.

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

What's a good gap size and spark plug to run if I have hei distributor
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Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

New to forums. I hope I'm doing this right. Im pretty sure I have an hei distributor. If I do, what gap should I put on my plugs? I've read that it ranges from .045 - .06 for an hei. Does that vary based on which hei distributor I have?

Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
 

The gap should be .045 for HEI. When HEI first came out the gap was .060, but was burning the tips of plugs, so GM changed it to .045