HEI Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Arl37 · 08-26-2020, 09:42 PM

Replaced the HEI installed by PO with a new Summit HEI. Installed power wire is 12 gauge with a Female spade to connect to distributor. Has 12 volts to it.
Really tired hunting for the male dist BAT terminal with distributor cap installed when trying to connect the female to it.
Saw the below on Summit and it had good reviews. However, it only has 16 gauge wire at best . Maybe 18.
I don't see how I can use this given my 12 gauge wire has constant 12 voltage. Think I got ripped off for a couple of bucks!
Do you agree.

Willys_MB · 08-26-2020, 10:11 PM

I was able to find a connector at my local NAPA that worked great. I would hesitate to go to a smaller wire like you said.

toolboxchev · 08-26-2020, 10:41 PM

Using a bigger pipe to supply water that needs to be somewhat of a smaller flow anyways does not appear to be a "Big" issue.

I asked a guy whom rebuilds HEI's for a living. He informed me to limit the fuse to 7.5 amps.

How much do you wish to cook the module in your HEI? According to one site I just viewed for reference a 16 gauge for Chassis Wiring will all 22 amps to flow.

Its just electrical math, I am sure the developers of the product look at this.

RichardJ · 08-26-2020, 11:03 PM

I've cut this wire and connector from '76 and new GM products to get replacement connecters after the holding tab broke off.
The original factory wires are 14 gauge with extra thick, flexible insulation. I believe the extra thick, flexible insulation is used, because this is one wire that they expect you will be moving around such as when doing a tune up.
Most harness wires, once connected, remain undisturbed for decades.

I have connected an Ammeter in the stock HEI circuit and measured 2 Amps. 12 gauge is over kill unless you are using a low resistance. high current coil.

**mr48chev** · 08-27-2020, 01:22 AM

To be honest I have never seen one of those. I have always seen the single power lead.

https://www.holley.com/products/igni..._content=Accel Shows the flip side of that plug and all the sudden my brain functioned and the green wire is the Tach wire.

I've normally seen this type https://www.ebay.com/itm/Painless-Wi....c100677.m4598 You can find that style at Napa, or O'Reilly's normally. They may be in the Help section at O'Reillys or Autozone.

You absolutely have to have that latch working though. Female slides will slip off going down the road at inopportune times. No need to ask why I Know that but trust me it isn't if it will slide off but when.

**maverickmk** · 08-27-2020, 11:34 AM

I use The Repair Connector Store for all of these type of factory connectors. Here is an HEI power & tach lead connectors.

https://www.repairconnector.com/prod...-Pigtails.html

**bigmac73** · 09-02-2020, 09:05 AM

i am using the same thing that i got off of a older electrical website years ago and never had a problem

**basketcase** · 09-02-2020, 10:52 PM

I have that Summit one on my Mallory HEI. Red is distributor power. Green is tach lead. Points wire was 12ga but also is a resistor wire rated at 9.3 volts so the points don't burn up.

Tom

tino0217 · 09-03-2020, 02:46 AM

I installed the the same thing on my 71 C10 350 sb, no problems in the 2 years, even use it as a kill switch for anti theft

VWNate1 · 09-03-2020, 06:25 AM

Will it work fine ? .

Yes .

Is it good practice to change the gauge of any wire anywhere in a power circuit ? .

No .

08-26-2020, 09:42 PM	#1
Arl37 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Valley Center, Ca Posts: 277	HEI Question Replaced the HEI installed by PO with a new Summit HEI. Installed power wire is 12 gauge with a Female spade to connect to distributor. Has 12 volts to it. Really tired hunting for the male dist BAT terminal with distributor cap installed when trying to connect the female to it. Saw the below on Summit and it had good reviews. However, it only has 16 gauge wire at best . Maybe 18. I don't see how I can use this given my 12 gauge wire has constant 12 voltage. Think I got ripped off for a couple of bucks! Do you agree. Attached Images

08-26-2020, 10:11 PM	#2
Willys_MB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 856	Re: HEI Question I was able to find a connector at my local NAPA that worked great. I would hesitate to go to a smaller wire like you said. __________________ 1968 GMC C2500 Long Bed Fleetside

08-26-2020, 10:41 PM	#3
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: HEI Question Using a bigger pipe to supply water that needs to be somewhat of a smaller flow anyways does not appear to be a "Big" issue. I asked a guy whom rebuilds HEI's for a living. He informed me to limit the fuse to 7.5 amps. How much do you wish to cook the module in your HEI? According to one site I just viewed for reference a 16 gauge for Chassis Wiring will all 22 amps to flow. Its just electrical math, I am sure the developers of the product look at this.

08-26-2020, 11:03 PM	#4
RichardJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,470	Re: HEI Question I've cut this wire and connector from '76 and new GM products to get replacement connecters after the holding tab broke off. The original factory wires are 14 gauge with extra thick, flexible insulation. I believe the extra thick, flexible insulation is used, because this is one wire that they expect you will be moving around such as when doing a tune up. Most harness wires, once connected, remain undisturbed for decades. I have connected an Ammeter in the stock HEI circuit and measured 2 Amps. 12 gauge is over kill unless you are using a low resistance. high current coil. __________________ '67 GMC 2500, 292, 4spd, AC Last edited by RichardJ; 08-26-2020 at 11:08 PM.

08-27-2020, 01:22 AM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,721	Re: HEI Question To be honest I have never seen one of those. I have always seen the single power lead. https://www.holley.com/products/igni..._content=Accel Shows the flip side of that plug and all the sudden my brain functioned and the green wire is the Tach wire. I've normally seen this type https://www.ebay.com/itm/Painless-Wi....c100677.m4598 You can find that style at Napa, or O'Reilly's normally. They may be in the Help section at O'Reillys or Autozone. You absolutely have to have that latch working though. Female slides will slip off going down the road at inopportune times. No need to ask why I Know that but trust me it isn't if it will slide off but when. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

08-27-2020, 11:34 AM	#6
maverickmk Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Cocoa FL Posts: 596	Re: HEI Question I use The Repair Connector Store for all of these type of factory connectors. Here is an HEI power & tach lead connectors. https://www.repairconnector.com/prod...-Pigtails.html __________________ Die with memories, not dreams. Not to brag, but I don't need alcohol to make really bad decisions. 1969 GMC Short Step Side

09-02-2020, 09:05 AM	#7
bigmac73 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chesapeake, Va Posts: 1,275	Re: HEI Question i am using the same thing that i got off of a older electrical website years ago and never had a problem __________________ 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

09-02-2020, 10:52 PM	#8
basketcase Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Edgerton OH USA Posts: 633	Re: HEI Question I have that Summit one on my Mallory HEI. Red is distributor power. Green is tach lead. Points wire was 12ga but also is a resistor wire rated at 9.3 volts so the points don't burn up. Tom __________________ '69 swb stepside in progress. '59 Corvette lifetime project

09-03-2020, 02:46 AM	#9
tino0217 Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Seatac, wa Posts: 172	Re: HEI Question I installed the the same thing on my 71 C10 350 sb, no problems in the 2 years, even use it as a kill switch for anti theft

09-03-2020, 06:25 AM	#10
VWNate1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So. Cali. Posts: 2,665	HEI Power Wire Question Will it work fine ? . Yes . Is it good practice to change the gauge of any wire anywhere in a power circuit ? . No . __________________ -Nate Geezer '49 3100 235 W/ Muncie SM420 SOLD '69 C/10 shortbed sidemount survivor 250 L6 W/ 350TH



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