POST HEI install quesions (few BUGS...)

[sactoC10]

OK, thanks again to this board and all the help with this upgrade. Now that it has been in for a couple of weeks, have a few problems/questions.



#1 Driver's side headlight is slow to come on when they're switched on, takes a minute or so...why is this happening? How do I correct it?

#2 Need to re-gap the plugs right? Re-gap them to what?

#3 Seem to have a slight loss of power (grunt/torque). Starts smooth, accelerates smooth, idles smooth...but seems to strain on the highway and (honestly) can't crack the tires loose like I could before!

Thanks again, in advance for any and all input.

[RainFade]

Not being an expert by ANY means but having just fought with putting a new HEI in my truck let me take a crack at this.

1: Probably not related whatsoever, pull the connector off the headlight clean them up inside with some tiny ignition files slather with silicone dilectrec and i'll bet your oxidized connection problem is gone. Alternatively check that your ground is good and clean it up.

2: .045" I am using R45 TSX (pre-gapped) in my 350 (71 pretty much stock)

3: Is your vacuum advance hooked to full manifold vacuum ?
What is your base timing ?
Do you have a timing light with adjustable advance ? if so what is your total mechanical timing and total timing with vacuum all in ? If not what is the source of your donor distributor and what #'s are on the vaccum advance canister IIRC they have the total advance stamped on them.

Any pinging ? flat spots ? backfiring ?

[cdowns]

when hooking up you did away with the factory(resistor) wiring right??>

[Tx Firefighter]

That low power is a sure sign of timing issues. You should have at least as much power as before the swap.

[sactoC10]

OK, thought the headlight thing might be related as I once saw a headlight re-wiring kit which is "suggested" after this swap/upgrade. I'll check the connections, tabs and such.

Donor HEI was nearly new with a new Blue Streak Performance cap, with adjustable vacuum advance. Maybe it is adjusted wrong? Not sure if it is at the full vacuum or not...maybe not.

Yes, factory resistor wire is no longer in use.

Haven't noticed any flat spots, pinging or backfiring, just some very slight "dieseling" after shut off ONE time, which was very brief. Don't have a timing light, not sure how to investigate that at this point. Hope it is a vacuum related thing, how do I investigate?

[dyingdeadman]

sounds like you got it a little too far advanced, you'll need to get a timing light and check it. you could probely get away with just playing with it a little, but the timing light is recomended.

[sactoC10]

OK, back after a few days... How do I "play with" the vacuum advance settings? I'd like to mess with it a bit without te timing light... what do I adjust?

Thanks.

[neonlarry]

Some reading for you:
http://www.corvetteforum.com/techtip...=115&TopicID=3
http://maliburacing.com/forum/viewto...f66070b98e4ee7
P.S. get a timing light even if its a cheap one.

[cduster]

You should set the timing before you set the advance. Beg, borrow, or buy a timing light.

Dan

[68c10owner]

you might try re-curving the dist. mr gasket sells a re-curve kit for hei`s. I used to use them in my mallory comp 9000. it comes with 3 sets of springs and new advance weights. i used the red springs because they were the lightest and let the mechanical advance come in sooner. you really need a timing light to do your timing accuratly.

[sactoC10]

So, does anyone think I need a timing light? (J/K)

OK, will pick up a timing light soon, or at least borrow one.

NeonLarry, thanks again for all of the very helpful information!