I6 Distributor from points to electronic
 

I had heard that installing a electronic distributor cuts out some of the roughness of an Inline 6, any input would be greatfully accepted. I found a distributor on an old I6 (integrated head style not sure of the year) any idea if this one will work & if not what might I find one on. Kixx

whew - i should be an expert at this by now --- at the ohio meet - we installed two HEI's (but both were 8 cyl)

however, i was told that any HEI would be compatible - regardless of year - as long as the engine is the same. so, if your inline 6 is a 250, an HEI for another 250 should be compatible. (guys, can you correct me if i'm wrong here?)

the switch itself is SO SO simple! all you do is remove the old distributor and coil, put in the new HEI, run a hot wire from the fuse box to the HEI (the hot wire must be hot in run and start only), and then set the timing as usual. be careful to get those wires back in the proper order! ;) (that was our biggest problem when we did both HEI this weekend).

if no one else answers the post, PM fine69, and he will let you know anymore details. he is great! and knows his SH**!

good luck!
let us know how it turns out!
;) jewels.

Hei
 

Let us now how it work out,I need to do the same to my 69 that has a 292,I got the ditributor just have not got around to putting it in yet.
Bob

Checking the advance curves for the various years of Chev/GMC engines; find that the centrifigal advance falls into the range of 8 to 12 @ 200O RPM. for 6 cylinder engines 1971 thru 1980. So; it would appear most any HEI unit within that range would perform satisfactorly. However, the mechanical condition should be checked; end play, etc.......Note that there is considerable difference in advance curves for the variious years and models of V-8 engines....Installing an HEI distributor with a radically different advance curve than the original distributor will result in decreased performance....best to take used HEI unit to a qualified distributor rebuild shop. They have the distibutor machines; weights and springs to match the HEI unit to the specs required for the engine it will be installed in.

Now that is somthing I would not have thought of........ Thanks
Anyone know where to find that info for a 6 cylinder

Timimg specs for a 1971 250 Cu. in. 6 cylinder are. (Centrifugal Advance/ Degrees @ engine RPM)----0 @ 930; 2 @ 1270; 14 @ 2300 and 24 @ 4100. Vacuum advance ( in Crank degrees ) 0 @ 8" vac and 23 @ 16" vac. Initial ignition timing at engine idle is 4 degrees.
Another GM reference manual "1971-80 Tune up Specifications" states that the combined centrifugal and vacuum advance should be in the range of 30 to 38 degrees at 2000 RPM. This is easy to accomplish using an adjustable timing lite.
Recomend to install new spark plug wiring harness compatable with the higher HEI produced voltages and new spark plugs gapped at .045.

Note:-- the timing specs for the 1971 6 cyl 292 cu.in engine are somewhat different from the 250 cu.in model.... be happy to post these specs if needed by anyone...........Jim