What HEI Distributor for 5.7 vortec - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chilly178 · 04-01-2018, 05:06 PM

Hi i'm planning on doing a 5.7 vortec swap in my 72 C20. I'm gonna run it with a Holley 670 carb. I know the distributor has to have
a melonized gear. Any suggestions on what is good/ will work? Also will any HEI distributor work with a electric tach? Was looking at these. https://www.summitracing.com/search/...9%2B4294944551

Mike C · 04-01-2018, 08:21 PM

My first choice would be the MSD Streefire which is usually about $160. It has the melonized gear same as the rest of their distributor line. Also comes with springs and bushings to adjust the mechanical advance curve and an adjustable vacuum advance canister.

Chilly178 · 04-01-2018, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

My first choice would be the MSD Streefire which is usually about $160. It has the melonized gear same as the rest of their distributor line. Also comes with springs and bushings to adjust the mechanical advance curve and an adjustable vacuum advance canister.

Is this the one you are talking about? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...make/chevrolet Says it has a iron dist gear instead of melonized.
EDIT: Found this melonized gear for it https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a...6413/overview/ I think it would work if I got the melonized gear and swapped it. Any thoughts?

Mike C · 04-01-2018, 08:54 PM

That one. Interesting as it looks like it comes with a different gear now than when I bought mine?

I guess if you are going that way I'd call Summit and ask. The 8561 is the Melonized steel gear and that one looks like the 8531 iron gear.

The Q&A says OK to run on anything but billet roller cam. But I'd still call. I called Comp about mine and they said good to go, but I'd hate to steer you wrong.

Summit's answer is no for your roller cam. So don't listen to me! I'm headed off to find paperwork on mine and double check what I got before I break my motor in and maybe ruin my cam!

OK, I have read even more in the questions and summit says OK for Hydraulic Roller Cam. But in November of last year they stated is was a steel gear.

B. W. · 04-01-2018, 09:04 PM

The GM melonized gear you linked to is the one I'm running on a vortec/stock HEI.

Chilly178 · 04-01-2018, 09:17 PM

Ok cool. I think I'm just gonna get them both and swap the gear over. 40 bucks for some piece of mind isn't much. Hey Mike the shaft diameter on the two gears you listed is .500. The AC Delco one I listed is .491. Says here in the questions that the shaft diameter is indeed .491 for the 8362. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...nswers/?page=4 This thing will clear my firewall right in a 72 C20 350?

B. W. · 04-01-2018, 09:26 PM

Most aftermarket distributors are .500", stock HEI is .491.

Chilly178 · 04-01-2018, 09:33 PM

Good to know

04-01-2018, 05:06 PM	#1
Chilly178 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 134	What HEI Distributor for 5.7 vortec Hi i'm planning on doing a 5.7 vortec swap in my 72 C20. I'm gonna run it with a Holley 670 carb. I know the distributor has to have a melonized gear. Any suggestions on what is good/ will work? Also will any HEI distributor work with a electric tach? Was looking at these. https://www.summitracing.com/search/...9%2B4294944551

04-01-2018, 08:21 PM	#2
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,717	Re: What HEI Distributor for 5.7 vortec My first choice would be the MSD Streefire which is usually about $160. It has the melonized gear same as the rest of their distributor line. Also comes with springs and bushings to adjust the mechanical advance curve and an adjustable vacuum advance canister. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

04-01-2018, 08:54 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,717	Re: What HEI Distributor for 5.7 vortec That one. Interesting as it looks like it comes with a different gear now than when I bought mine? I guess if you are going that way I'd call Summit and ask. The 8561 is the Melonized steel gear and that one looks like the 8531 iron gear. The Q&A says OK to run on anything but billet roller cam. But I'd still call. I called Comp about mine and they said good to go, but I'd hate to steer you wrong. Summit's answer is no for your roller cam. So don't listen to me! I'm headed off to find paperwork on mine and double check what I got before I break my motor in and maybe ruin my cam! OK, I have read even more in the questions and summit says OK for Hydraulic Roller Cam. But in November of last year they stated is was a steel gear. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax Last edited by Mike C; 04-01-2018 at 09:05 PM.

04-01-2018, 09:04 PM	#5
B. W. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bigfork, Montana Posts: 1,137	Re: What HEI Distributor for 5.7 vortec The GM melonized gear you linked to is the one I'm running on a vortec/stock HEI.

04-01-2018, 09:17 PM	#6
Chilly178 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 134	Re: What HEI Distributor for 5.7 vortec Ok cool. I think I'm just gonna get them both and swap the gear over. 40 bucks for some piece of mind isn't much. Hey Mike the shaft diameter on the two gears you listed is .500. The AC Delco one I listed is .491. Says here in the questions that the shaft diameter is indeed .491 for the 8362. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...nswers/?page=4 This thing will clear my firewall right in a 72 C20 350? Last edited by Chilly178; 04-01-2018 at 09:29 PM.

04-01-2018, 09:26 PM	#7
B. W. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bigfork, Montana Posts: 1,137	Re: What HEI Distributor for 5.7 vortec Most aftermarket distributors are .500", stock HEI is .491.

04-01-2018, 09:33 PM	#8
Chilly178 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 134	Re: What HEI Distributor for 5.7 vortec Good to know Last edited by Chilly178; 04-01-2018 at 11:37 PM.

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