HEI ?

[Tim Christian]

Well I just put the power steering on the daily driver today and like WOW why did I ever wait this long anyway going to put the HEI in next but I have a couple of questions what guage wire should I run for the 12 volt source? What is the best wat to put it in so I don't get it 180 out? Also should I get plugs and plug wires for the HEI? Thanks

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67 GMC Stepside(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
67 GMC Custom
67 Chevy C-30

[CPNE]

I think I ran a 12 gauge wire. Some guys put an inline fuse in. I'd get hotter plugs and gap them per HEI specs and get the HEI wires. I just found TDC on #1 compression stroke and followed firing order from there. Made a noticable difference.


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Jeff Jesseman
Cheyenne Parts Northeast
Franconia, NH

67 Chevy SWB Fleetside
70 GMC Burb 1/2 ton 2wd
72 Chevy Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

Parts bought and sold

[bigjimzlll]

I ran a #10 wire to the ignition spot on the fuse panel....lol...about 180 out..im only right 50% of time

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67 lwb fleetside...first hotrod in 25 years...283..186 bowl ported heads..270h comp cam 600 1405...stealth intake..HEI..th350 with 2500 rpm stall..4:10 POSI
god I love to go fast

[StingRay]

Tim you can make sure you don't get it 180 out a number of ways. If the engine already has a dist then line up the new HEI so that the rotor points to exactly the same place as the old one did and then make sure all of your new wires (you have to use HEI style wires with an HEI cap)are in the same orientation as the old ones. If the old one is already out and you need to get the new one in right just pop out the #1 spark plug and hold your finger over the hole. Crank the engine over with a socket and ratchet until you can feel compression trying to pop your finger out of the hole. Line up your timing mark to zero and then install your new dist with the rotor pointing to where your #1 wire is going to be on your cap. I use at least 12 ga when I wire these and I usually find a donor harness to rob the connector pin out of so that I can re-pin the stock fire wall connector to take a 12 ga wire right at the connector block in place of the factory ignition lead. You can not use the factory dist power lead that runs to the coil as they are resistance wire and only about 9 volts actually gets to the coil during normal operation. I have always just used plugs from like a 78 350 truck as they all had HEI's. My engines have all been pretty mild so stock heat ranges and gaps have always been pretty good. You can also determine TDC compression by observing rockers or lifters on #1 cyl and when both valves are rocking (closed) line up your timing mark. I hope this helps.

[Tim Christian]

Thanks Guys! It is great to have smart family members.

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67 GMC Stepside(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
67 GMC Custom
67 Chevy C-30

[StingRay]

Oh ya. You can turf the wire that runs between the starter and the old dist. It isn't used with the HEI.