When did Chevy start using HEI? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gator2511 · 08-28-2005, 08:56 AM

What years did Chevy make or use HEI distributors without computer controlled engines?

Alan Potter · 08-28-2005, 09:11 AM

I think 1975 was the first year.

OLDROCK&ROLLER · 08-28-2005, 10:36 AM

Some late 1974 had HEI

cdowns · 08-28-2005, 10:40 AM

i believe it was available on the option sheets as early as 72(very rare),in fact i think a board member has one on a 72

Longhorn Man · 08-28-2005, 12:19 PM

I have seen option sheets that excluded the HEI...don't know how since it was a federal smog controll item and required...but I have never seen an option sheet to add HEI, nor have any of my car or truck books ever listed that as an option.

3 on the tree · 08-28-2005, 12:22 PM

Don't know bout trucks, but I owned a 73 Monte Carlo back in 78 and it had HEI. Looked original to me. Maybe truck use was tied to GVW and smog requirements, kinda like cats or no cats depending on GVW.

gator2511 · 08-28-2005, 12:51 PM

Well, I've been trying to identify what year dist. I have so I can get some rebuild parts. On a corvette site I found the key to the puzzle! Generally they say the HEI's came out in mid to late 1973 through 1979 and were used without computer control. Like anything I'm sure there could be some variation. On the body of your dist. are two numbers. The 5 digit (or longer) number is the model number. The other series of numbers consists of letters and numbers. The first number is the year the dist. was made. My number is 9D24. Since its an HEI it can't be 1969, so I settled for 1979. The 'D' is the month of the year. D being the 4th letter of the alphabet means the 4th month which is April. The last two numbers represent the day of the month. So I have a dist. made April 24 1979. Hope I'm not boring you guys but if your truck is like mine it has some parts that are not stock and you sometimes need to ID them to get it fixed.

chevymad · 08-28-2005, 01:07 PM

My 73 3/4 ton chevy listed HEI delete on the options list.

Fred T · 08-28-2005, 03:20 PM

In pickups the HEI for the six came in 75. For the v8 it was either 73 or 74. I paid a lot more attention to the sixes than the v8 then.

08-28-2005, 08:56 AM	#1
gator2511 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: tampa florida Posts: 776	When did Chevy start using HEI? What years did Chevy make or use HEI distributors without computer controlled engines?

08-28-2005, 09:11 AM	#2
Alan Potter Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 162	I think 1975 was the first year. __________________ '12 Silverado Crew Cab 4x4 '05 Silverado SWB '67 Chevrolet CST 2wd '49 Willys Jeepster

08-28-2005, 10:36 AM	#3
OLDROCK&ROLLER Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: WHITEVILLE N.C. Posts: 494	Some late 1974 had HEI __________________ 72 CHEYENNE 10 SUPER 468/400/3.73

08-28-2005, 10:40 AM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	i believe it was available on the option sheets as early as 72(very rare),in fact i think a board member has one on a 72 __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-28-2005, 12:19 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I have seen option sheets that excluded the HEI...don't know how since it was a federal smog controll item and required...but I have never seen an option sheet to add HEI, nor have any of my car or truck books ever listed that as an option. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 08-28-2005 at 12:19 PM.

08-28-2005, 12:22 PM	#6
3 on the tree Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 392	Don't know bout trucks, but I owned a 73 Monte Carlo back in 78 and it had HEI. Looked original to me. Maybe truck use was tied to GVW and smog requirements, kinda like cats or no cats depending on GVW.

08-28-2005, 12:51 PM	#7
gator2511 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: tampa florida Posts: 776	Well, I've been trying to identify what year dist. I have so I can get some rebuild parts. On a corvette site I found the key to the puzzle! Generally they say the HEI's came out in mid to late 1973 through 1979 and were used without computer control. Like anything I'm sure there could be some variation. On the body of your dist. are two numbers. The 5 digit (or longer) number is the model number. The other series of numbers consists of letters and numbers. The first number is the year the dist. was made. My number is 9D24. Since its an HEI it can't be 1969, so I settled for 1979. The 'D' is the month of the year. D being the 4th letter of the alphabet means the 4th month which is April. The last two numbers represent the day of the month. So I have a dist. made April 24 1979. Hope I'm not boring you guys but if your truck is like mine it has some parts that are not stock and you sometimes need to ID them to get it fixed.

08-28-2005, 01:07 PM	#8
chevymad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: skamokawa, WA, USA Posts: 527	My 73 3/4 ton chevy listed HEI delete on the options list.

08-28-2005, 03:20 PM	#9
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	In pickups the HEI for the six came in 75. For the v8 it was either 73 or 74. I paid a lot more attention to the sixes than the v8 then. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

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