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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 132
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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 |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 3,074
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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. |
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Muskegon,MI,USA
Posts: 6,026
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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
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1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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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.
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Earth, NJ
Posts: 479
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Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
HEI comes in small cap with an external coil too
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#6 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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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".
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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#7 |
Eat, Sleep, Drive a Chevy
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: the town of the cow, Texas
Posts: 1,152
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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
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Trey Silence may be Golden, but Duct Tape is Silver! 72 Short Step 57 "big window" short step |
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#8 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
Take the cap off and see if you have points and condensor in there.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 132
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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.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 132
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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?
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: St.Peters, MO
Posts: 2,226
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Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
That is a stock set up, not HEI
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 132
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Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Chesapeake, Va
Posts: 1,275
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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,
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Mike 72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider. 421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks ![]() |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Chesapeake, Va
Posts: 1,275
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Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
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Mike 72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider. 421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks ![]() |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 132
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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.
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 132
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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? |
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#17 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Chesapeake, Va
Posts: 1,275
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Re: How to tell if I have an HEI distributor?
Quote:
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Mike 72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider. 421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks ![]() |
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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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! |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 132
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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? |
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#20 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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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.
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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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).
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ruskin Florida
Posts: 4,560
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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.
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70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350 |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Grass valley, California
Posts: 3
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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?
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Puyallup, WA
Posts: 1,662
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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
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72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo |
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