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#1 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Fletcher, OH
Posts: 77
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To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Hi all,
I have a bone stock 307 in the C20 I just acquired. It purrs like a kitten as it is, and I'm trying to decide if I should convert to HEI or just throw another set of points and a condenser in the glove box and call it a day (I'm completely comfortable adjusting and replacing points). Those of you who have converted to HEI - do you have a suggestion as to which kind? I do not plan to ever build the engine for high performance - plan to keep it completely stock. I see that Rock Auto has the AC Delco conversions for around $175 and the knockoffs are much cheaper. Any thoughts would be appreciated! Wes
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Found Grandpa's old '69 Chevy C-20 - It'll never leave the family again. "For just a little more, you can do it yourself!" |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gold Canyon Arizona
Posts: 4,336
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
look into petronix . you keep you dist but replace the points with electronics! no more points but completely stock. my 350 ran smooth with points but with electronics i noticed a difference. smooth smooth smooth.
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1971 K5 CST Blazer 1965 Chevelle Malibu 283 (sadly sold) 1968 Camaro 327 1968 Honda mini-trail z50a #377 1966 uh 1-D Huey |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
Posts: 343
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Quote:
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1971 Chev C10 - 250ci L6 w/3 speed on the floor Upgrades: Power Steering 3 Core Radiator 7 Hole Gauge Cluster Power Brakes (Incoming!!..) 1971 350 (Incoming!!..) |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 756
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
+1 on just using a Pertronix in stock Dizzy.
Ys you need to remove the resistance wire from + coil (just tape it back into harness) and run a stranded copper 10 gauge wire from IGN tap on fuse block to + coil Pay attention to install 411 relative to shims included in kit. I find it easier to just pull dizzy and install Pertronix n bench. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
I owned my 69 GMC for 20 minutes before switching to HEI. I grabbed a low mile distributor and wires from u-pull-it and a 10 gauge power wire from the parts store. Ran the power from the fuse boxed (switched).
Worked like a charm. |
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#6 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Fletcher, OH
Posts: 77
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
I tried to use Pertronix in an MG I owned a few years back and had a terrible time with reliability - they let me sit 3 times, and Pertronix support was rude and completely unhelpful in finding the root cause. I finally just sent the thing back and had to dispute the charge with my credit card company to get a refund. I'll not be giving them another dime based on that experience.
I'm interested in the HEI from the pick--pull. Pardon the ignorance, but can I pull a unit from a newer model and use it? Are all SBC dizzys essentially the same?
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Found Grandpa's old '69 Chevy C-20 - It'll never leave the family again. "For just a little more, you can do it yourself!" |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
I pulled mine from a 305 Caprice 1979
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: PNW
Posts: 553
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Hei
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#9 | |
At the body shop.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,212
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Quote:
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" That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment " |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 756
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
OP, given most "new" aftermarket HEI dizzy are built with offshore components, pulling a GM (AC Delco) from a mid 70's car from junkyard would work. Kind of a crap roll with any pick & pull part but those dizzys were pretty stable with the 4 pin modules.
Typically the HEI has male post vs female so your plug wires would need changing or cut/install new ends for HEI cap Pertronix like any company can have issues be it defective components or user errors. For me and many others they have worked fine. Correct installation is key, specifically in measuring gap in shaft and pickup to ring distance which is why various shims (washers) are included. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: St. James, MO
Posts: 1,239
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Stick with the points: there is not enough difference to make the effort worth it. As soon as I can find another intake, I am changing back to points.
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'69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt. |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Eastern Oregon
Posts: 2,334
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
I dropped one of those cheap Chinese HEI units in my 307 few years ago. It’s been operating fine knock on wood ! Engine starts and runs much better than with the points.
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71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 1,177
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
I think you will get a good 50/50 mix of some folks saying to stay with points and others saying HEI on a post like this. It can potentially make the decision even harder. I used to wonder the same myself over the years having owned/built multiple different C10 pickups and 60-66 Suburbans. Sometimes, you just have to pull the trigger, try an HEI (or even Pertronix) and experience the change/difference for yourself, then decide. I personally have found HEI to be a great improvement every time.
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66 GMC Suburban Custom 66 Chevy K10 Suburban |
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#14 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Posts: 1,644
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Same results for me - very happy!
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1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: PNW
Posts: 553
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 756
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
IDK, they have a 60,000 sq ft place in Irwindale, CA. they are part of the AAM group so I would suspect some of their stuff is manufactured off shore or the parts are and assembled here. Their headquarters are in San Dimas, CA
When I called for tech help it was San Dimas and the tech said my replacement module was being shipped from Irwindale, CA. A car I bought had the module, so I had no receipt, but they sold me one at a discount. PO. did not set the spacing up right, to tight, which caused it to rub on PU wheel. The car is running great as did the 327 I had in it with the Pertronix module before that motor finally died at 145k mi |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,149
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Another vote for HEI. Good points (and condensers) are getting harder and harder to find.
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'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: PNW
Posts: 553
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Quote:
I've got a 117,000 sqft Amazon warehouse 10 miles from me, and it's filled with stuff from China. Nice American workers though. ![]() |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: St Peters, MO
Posts: 439
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
I went with a new GM HEI 93440806 on my project (made in Taiwan). The coil went out a year or so later. I upgraded to a Davis Unified Ignition (DUI) 50KV coil and module. It made a huge difference.
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1967 C20, 350 SBC w/Comp roller cam, 700R4 w/3.42 posi, PS, 4-wheel PDB, Old Air AC & GM Tilt column. |
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#20 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
I'd leave the points. How many years have they run that truck now? Nothing wrong with points except people neglected to tune their vehicles up. Now that we have electronic ignition people run their spark plugs until they rust into the head
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Herculaneum MO (20 minutes south of St. Louis
Posts: 613
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Never a problem buy blue streak ignition components. Have always been the best and can be purchased at any auto parts store in the country.
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67 C10 283 T5 swapped longbed fleetside = wife's daily driver 67 C20 292 (originally a 250)4speed longbed fleetside w/original wooden bed=my project truck 67 C10 283+.060 (so a 292 as well)T5 swapped longbed fleetside=my DD 72 C1500 Sierra Grande 350 TH350 longbed fleetside=wife's fair weather truck Can you tell we are fans of longbed fleetsides & 67s Chris |
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#22 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,392
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
Or until the resistance is high enough that the system punches a hole right through the rotor, seeking a better ground.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#23 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Herculaneum MO (20 minutes south of St. Louis
Posts: 613
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
I think all these people that say there truck runs better, smoother or starts easier with HEI are fooling themselves. They get a truck that's not running right & rather than just do a tune up they decide to upgrade. They put an HEI in and "It runs so much better now." Well of course it does, you did a tuneup when you installed the HEI. It would run just as well if you had just done a tuneup. I'm willing to bet none of them took out a well setup points ignition to install an HEI for a good comparison.
The only real advantage to an HEI is less maintenance. However as others have mentioned they can fail & leave you stranded.
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67 C10 283 T5 swapped longbed fleetside = wife's daily driver 67 C20 292 (originally a 250)4speed longbed fleetside w/original wooden bed=my project truck 67 C10 283+.060 (so a 292 as well)T5 swapped longbed fleetside=my DD 72 C1500 Sierra Grande 350 TH350 longbed fleetside=wife's fair weather truck Can you tell we are fans of longbed fleetsides & 67s Chris |
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#24 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
If you'd prefer not having to do tune-up on occasion AND don't care if it doesn't look original, swap in a GM HEI. Very reliable. I'd carry a spare module in the glovebox, then you'd have no worries.
If you like doing tune-up work AND prefer the original appearance, keep the points. They work just fine, and you'd be one of an ever-shrinking segment of the population that even knows what points are, let along how to set them. If you don't like doing tune-up work BUT want an original appearance, go Pertronix as mentioned above. Great option. If you don't want ANY distributor, swap in an LS. All of the above are good options, except the last one ![]() |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: PNW
Posts: 553
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Re: To HEI or not to HEI - 69 C20 with Stock 307
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