Hei Distributor Problem

[SKYGOD]

I have a 1972 c-10 with a 350 V-8 that runs like a top, except::::, I am having trouble with the HEI distributor with the built in coil. I am now on my second internal coil and this one has stopped firing.
I believe I should replace the distributor with something more reliable! Has anyone had this problem and what resolution would you recommend?

[cdowns]

bad ground or using original(resistor) wiring can both cause this problem

[71Dragtruck]

Try running a new power wire if you haven't allready. like cdowns said the original wire has a resistor in it.

[VetteVet]

Go to the FAQS and read this thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=157669

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php3?t=17403

[shifty]

If you don't ground your coil with a dedicated ground wire, you'll burn up your coil. Pictures of proper wiring, showing the given ground strap and the other ground strap you need to install:

[tomatocity]

What happened to the original black wire in the above photo?

Originally Posted by shifty

If you don't ground your coil with a dedicated ground wire, you'll burn up your coil. Pictures of proper wiring, showing the given ground strap and the other ground strap you need to install:

[shifty]

What do you mean?

[tomatocity]

top pic says to pull black wire (from coil) to hole. bottom pic shows an additional black wire being installed from the connector to the frame around the coil. what happened to the balck coil wire that was pulled to the hole?

Originally Posted by shifty

What do you mean?

[shifty]

It's still there, but because I shot from a different angle, the plug wire obscures the loop connector on the smaller black wire and the yellow wire obscures where it leaves the coil. If you look closely between the yellow wire and the plug wire to the left of the coil cover tab, you'll see the middle of the small black wire there. I can circle it if you want - it's directly below the letter "G"

[tomatocity]

Is the black wire from the coil connected to anywhere other than the coil? After you say 'pull the black wire to the hole' you don't sat what to do with teh black wire. Is it connect to the bracket, using a bolt, that holds the coil?

Originally Posted by shifty

It's still there, but because I shot from a different angle, the plug wire obscures the loop connector on the smaller black wire and the yellow wire obscures where it leaves the coil. If you look closely between the yellow wire and the plug wire to the left of the coil cover tab, you'll see the middle of the small black wire there. I can circle it if you want - it's directly below the letter "G"

[tomatocity]

I am forgetting to be courteous. Thank you for providing the instruction with pictures. You say 'pull black wire to hole' but you don't say what to do with the black wire after it is pulled to the hole. That is the confusing part. Thanks agian.

Originally Posted by shifty

It's still there, but because I shot from a different angle, the plug wire obscures the loop connector on the smaller black wire and the yellow wire obscures where it leaves the coil. If you look closely between the yellow wire and the plug wire to the left of the coil cover tab, you'll see the middle of the small black wire there. I can circle it if you want - it's directly below the letter "G"

[67ChevyRedneck]

The black ground strap in the second picture can also be an actual all metal strap that runs to the same two places. I don't have pics, but that's what I got off an HEI DIZZY in a 'yard. My truck was missing the strap in the second pic and I fried my module and coil. No problems anymore.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Yes, you use a coil bolt to hold it down.

[shifty]

There are four bolts to attach all four the corners of the coil. In the instructions for the coil when you buy it, they typically say to take the black wire coming out of the coil and bolt it to the corner. In this case, I bolted the black wire to the (as you look at it) the front left corner. Then I ran a grounding strap manually from the ground tab between where the red and yellow wires connect over to the front right corner (opposte side from the other black wire I just described)

[shifty]

I can snap another photo tonight if you need it. I need to finish the second coat of header paint on my headers, scan an article for a couple of guys here and shoot some other photos. I should be able to squeeze it all in.

[tomatocity]

Thank you. I think the photos and documentation will be helpful to many of the members over the course of time.

Originally Posted by shifty

I can snap another photo tonight if you need it. I need to finish the second coat of header paint on my headers, scan an article for a couple of guys here and shoot some other photos. I should be able to squeeze it all in.