Time for an electronic ignition - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KD4UPL · 01-07-2013, 07:07 PM

My truck is always difficult to start. It cranks fine and has plenty of fuel but seems to lack for a spark. It's still the '71 points distributor. I'm thinking an HEI unit would be much better. I read alot and know a few things about engines but I'm not much of a shade tree mechanic.
What are my options for an inexpensive, reliable ignition system? Does the HEI distributor still need a coil? Will my existing coil work or does that need upgrading too? How hard is installation?
I'm assuming:
Remove old dist.
Slide new one down in the hole.
Connect power and spark plug wires.
Adjust timing? With a light?

Thanks for your help. I may have to call in a favor from my mechanic friend.

**First c10** · 01-07-2013, 07:26 PM

Summit racing has a good cheap HEI DIst. with coil for 90 bucks. you will need new wires (or ends) as the hei cap is different then stock cap, and yes time as normal. That is the jeist of it. I have one waiting to be installed when i get my head back form the shop.
Good Luck!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!

sanford&daughter · 01-07-2013, 07:39 PM

Ebay has the cheapest one $50 shipped be sure to have it on top dead center pointing at number one cylinder also since your truck still has points in it you will also need to change the resister wire or you won t have 12 volt running to your coil and it will run like crap

**Stocker** · 01-07-2013, 08:25 PM

Don't just put new ends on your old wires.... OEM-type wires aren't made to carry the extra voltage an HEI puts out. You can run the same plugs with HEI (should install new ones though) but they should be gapped at .045 instead of .035. The coil is an integral part of an HEI system, so you don't use your old coil.

I wonder why your truck is hard to start, though. I ran points for many years before switching to HEI (for ease of maintenance) and it always started easily. Maybe you just have a weak coil? Not trying to talk you out of the swap, it's a good upgrade, but the truck shouldn't be hard to start because of points.

69GWC · 01-07-2013, 08:46 PM

I have allways found a HEI will all ways seem to fire off quicker/easyer and give less trouble.

Run a new wire from the fused ING terminal on the fuse box to the HEI, I ran a 12g wire some run a 10g but either way it will need a new wire ran.
Posted via Mobile Device

WadmalawJoe · 01-07-2013, 09:17 PM

I'm in the middle of changing mine to an HEI system. Look for the thread on help with hei install.
Distributors are one of my weakest areas, but with all the help on here I'm doing ok.

KD4UPL · 01-07-2013, 09:54 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I guess it's hard to start because I only start it once every few weeks and the points either stick or corrode or something. The wiring is a real mess. I have a wire from the firewall hooked to the positive coil terminal which makes sense. I also have a wire from this terminal down to a terminal on the starter solenoid. I have no idea what that is for. I had good voltage on the positive coil terminal but still no fire (I guess) it just smelled flooded and never tried to fire as long as I cranked it.
I had the carburetor rebuilt so I know that's not the problem. I think a new dist., new wires, and new plugs are in order. I know that none of it has been changed in at least 20 years.

KD4UPL · 01-07-2013, 09:58 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I guess it's hard to start because I only start it once every few weeks and the points either stick or corrode or something. The wiring is a real mess. I have a wire from the firewall hooked to the positive coil terminal which makes sense. I also have a wire from this terminal down to a terminal on the starter solenoid. I have no idea what that is for. I had good voltage on the positive coil terminal but still no fire (I guess) it just smelled flooded and never tried to fire as long as I cranked it.
I had the carburetor rebuilt so I know that's not the problem. I think a new dist., new wires, and new plugs are in order. I know that none of it has been changed in at least 20 years.

PanelDeland · 01-07-2013, 10:11 PM

Since you only start it occassionally,the hard start problem is probably due to the carb draining back or evaporating fuel.You have to crank it to get fue back in the float bowls of the car.Mine does ths with a rebilt carb if I let it set a month or so.Still the HEI will help when it does get fuel.Look in the FAQ's Truck section for a post by member "shifty" on HEI in a 6 to help.He wrote it up for a 6 cyl but the same applies.

01-07-2013, 07:07 PM	#1
KD4UPL Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Swoope, VA Posts: 17	Time for an electronic ignition My truck is always difficult to start. It cranks fine and has plenty of fuel but seems to lack for a spark. It's still the '71 points distributor. I'm thinking an HEI unit would be much better. I read alot and know a few things about engines but I'm not much of a shade tree mechanic. What are my options for an inexpensive, reliable ignition system? Does the HEI distributor still need a coil? Will my existing coil work or does that need upgrading too? How hard is installation? I'm assuming: Remove old dist. Slide new one down in the hole. Connect power and spark plug wires. Adjust timing? With a light? Thanks for your help. I may have to call in a favor from my mechanic friend. __________________ 1987 S-10 Blazzer Sold, 1986 GMC Jimmy Sold, 2002 Chevy 2500 HD 2wd, 6.0, auto. Sold, 2007 Chevy 3500 SRW 4wd D/A Sold, 2005 Chevy 3500 4wd CC, D/A, dually, 2001 Chevy 3500 4wd EC, 8.1/A dually, 1969 Chevy C10 short bed, 307 V8

01-07-2013, 07:26 PM	#2
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: Time for an electronic ignition Summit racing has a good cheap HEI DIst. with coil for 90 bucks. you will need new wires (or ends) as the hei cap is different then stock cap, and yes time as normal. That is the jeist of it. I have one waiting to be installed when i get my head back form the shop. Good Luck!!! YOU CAN DO IT! __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!

01-07-2013, 07:39 PM	#3
sanford&daughter Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Upstate , New York Posts: 647	Re: Time for an electronic ignition Ebay has the cheapest one $50 shipped be sure to have it on top dead center pointing at number one cylinder also since your truck still has points in it you will also need to change the resister wire or you won t have 12 volt running to your coil and it will run like crap

01-07-2013, 08:25 PM	#4
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,586	Re: Time for an electronic ignition Don't just put new ends on your old wires.... OEM-type wires aren't made to carry the extra voltage an HEI puts out. You can run the same plugs with HEI (should install new ones though) but they should be gapped at .045 instead of .035. The coil is an integral part of an HEI system, so you don't use your old coil. I wonder why your truck is hard to start, though. I ran points for many years before switching to HEI (for ease of maintenance) and it always started easily. Maybe you just have a weak coil? Not trying to talk you out of the swap, it's a good upgrade, but the truck shouldn't be hard to start because of points. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

01-07-2013, 08:46 PM	#5
69GWC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,089	Re: Time for an electronic ignition I have allways found a HEI will all ways seem to fire off quicker/easyer and give less trouble. Run a new wire from the fused ING terminal on the fuse box to the HEI, I ran a 12g wire some run a 10g but either way it will need a new wire ran. Posted via Mobile Device

01-07-2013, 09:17 PM	#6
WadmalawJoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ravenel SC Posts: 317	Re: Time for an electronic ignition I'm in the middle of changing mine to an HEI system. Look for the thread on help with hei install. Distributors are one of my weakest areas, but with all the help on here I'm doing ok. __________________ Toys/projects Many toys, not enough time to play! My youngest son and I picked up a 69 Chevy C-10 on 1/7/22, this is my second 69, it was 10 years ago that I had my other one. So I’m back!!!

01-07-2013, 09:54 PM	#7
KD4UPL Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Swoope, VA Posts: 17	Re: Time for an electronic ignition Thanks for all the advice. I guess it's hard to start because I only start it once every few weeks and the points either stick or corrode or something. The wiring is a real mess. I have a wire from the firewall hooked to the positive coil terminal which makes sense. I also have a wire from this terminal down to a terminal on the starter solenoid. I have no idea what that is for. I had good voltage on the positive coil terminal but still no fire (I guess) it just smelled flooded and never tried to fire as long as I cranked it. I had the carburetor rebuilt so I know that's not the problem. I think a new dist., new wires, and new plugs are in order. I know that none of it has been changed in at least 20 years. __________________ 1987 S-10 Blazzer Sold, 1986 GMC Jimmy Sold, 2002 Chevy 2500 HD 2wd, 6.0, auto. Sold, 2007 Chevy 3500 SRW 4wd D/A Sold, 2005 Chevy 3500 4wd CC, D/A, dually, 2001 Chevy 3500 4wd EC, 8.1/A dually, 1969 Chevy C10 short bed, 307 V8

01-07-2013, 09:58 PM	#8
KD4UPL Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Swoope, VA Posts: 17	Re: Time for an electronic ignition Thanks for all the advice. I guess it's hard to start because I only start it once every few weeks and the points either stick or corrode or something. The wiring is a real mess. I have a wire from the firewall hooked to the positive coil terminal which makes sense. I also have a wire from this terminal down to a terminal on the starter solenoid. I have no idea what that is for. I had good voltage on the positive coil terminal but still no fire (I guess) it just smelled flooded and never tried to fire as long as I cranked it. I had the carburetor rebuilt so I know that's not the problem. I think a new dist., new wires, and new plugs are in order. I know that none of it has been changed in at least 20 years. __________________ 1987 S-10 Blazzer Sold, 1986 GMC Jimmy Sold, 2002 Chevy 2500 HD 2wd, 6.0, auto. Sold, 2007 Chevy 3500 SRW 4wd D/A Sold, 2005 Chevy 3500 4wd CC, D/A, dually, 2001 Chevy 3500 4wd EC, 8.1/A dually, 1969 Chevy C10 short bed, 307 V8

01-07-2013, 10:11 PM	#9
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Time for an electronic ignition Since you only start it occassionally,the hard start problem is probably due to the carb draining back or evaporating fuel.You have to crank it to get fue back in the float bowls of the car.Mine does ths with a rebilt carb if I let it set a month or so.Still the HEI will help when it does get fuel.Look in the FAQ's Truck section for a post by member "shifty" on HEI in a 6 to help.He wrote it up for a 6 cyl but the same applies. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"



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