Small cap HEI's

[Lippyp]

Just fitted an edelbrock performer manifold and tried to fit a stock HEI in to replace the mallory twin point but I can't get the damn thing down the hole even with the cap off.

Can anyone reccomend an aftermarket small cap HEI? I'm guessing the still need an external coil, is that the case or do they also have a coil in the cap like stock? If so will I need a different coil to the one currently in use for the points?

It needs to be something I can get from a supplier here in the UK ideally as I want it this week. Are the ebay specials worth having or should I stump up the extra for a decent brand name like mallory or MSD?

Thanks

[cdowns]

if you still have your points distributor theres a kit from petronics to convert to electronics that works well

[Lippyp]

Nope, it had a mallory twin point in it when I got it although I think there may now be a kit to convert that basically into a unilite.

[GASoline71]

An HEI should fit a Performer, Performer RPM, RPM Air Gap, Torker, Torker 2, and Victor Jr.

You sure the oil pump drive shaft is not lining up?

Gary

[mstrav1973]

is it hiting the firewall?

Matt

[junkyardjohn]

Don't give up on the hei lippy. It'll fit... Honest. John

[Boog]

How much does it lack going in Phil? How about removing the tranny mount bolts and push the tranny upward thereby tilting the engine forward? You won't get much room but it might be enough to let it drop right in there.

[GASoline71]

There is more than enough room at the firewall for an HEI to drop in, in these trucks...

Gary

[t&tkennels]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

An HEI should fit a Performer, Performer RPM, RPM Air Gap, Torker, Torker 2, and Victor Jr.

You sure the oil pump drive shaft is not lining up?

Gary

x2

[silverstreak]

Originally Posted by Lippyp

Nope, it had a mallory twin point in it when I got it although I think there may now be a kit to convert that basically into a unilite.

Here's an electronic conversion kit for the mallory dual point. They're in the UK so they may have one on the shelf to fit your Chevy.
http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/product.php?id=594

[Lippyp]

Its not the pump drive, I can't get the shaft into the hole more than an inch before its fouling on the block as the top of the dizzy (with the cap off) is being pushed forward by the firewall. I can't jack the tranny up as its tight against the bottom of the firewall, short of either lowering the engine, boxing the firewall or moving it forward I can't see how I can get it in the hole. Even if I can I'm not sure that it isn't going to be knocking against the firewall over every bump.

Yeah, I've found a couple of companies that do the conversion kit, that might be the best way to go for me tbh. Cheaper than a new small cap HEI and gets rid of the PITA points. The Mallory dizzy in there was brand new when I bought the truck so won't have more than a couple of thousand miles on it.

[ScottH]

sounds like your eight is mounted in the six cylinder position

[ERASER5]

I agree with Scott H. The engine is back too far. Moving it forward will be a huge amount of work, not to mention the cost of extending the exhaust and drive shaft. I would just do a conversion to the points dizzy.

[Lippyp]

I've decided to go with the mallory conversion kit and then run straight into another brick wall. Nobody has them in stock here in the UK, the main Mallory dealer here, a company called Real Steel has had them on order since March. Looks like I'm gonna have to place an order direct with Summit Racing as they show them as in stock. I may as well order a load of other bits and pieces as they charge a big fat admin fee on overseas orders whatever the value. So, the conversion kit, a matching coil, some odd bits and bobs I can't find over here and maybe some bling. I don't think they do brake pipe/hose sets specific to our trucks sadly or I'd have ordered a set at the same time.

Do I need a right hand rotation kit or a left hand rotation kit? They list both and I don't want to order the wrong one.

[Lippyp]

On advice from some friends I've now ordered the Pertronix conversion kit and a Flamethrower coil from a UK supplier as the Mallory kit just isn't easily available. I've also heard from a lot of the guys on a hot rod forum over here that the Pertonix kit is better made than the mallory one and more reliable. Should be here tomorrow all being well.