H.E.I. trouble - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

thisolechevy · 11-10-2004, 06:11 PM

Hey there I just picked up a used HEI dist. off of a 94 chevy van 305 motor and was reading the FAQ's page on how to do it and realized that the dist. I recieved and was told would work has the extra 4-wire flat plug, do I need to get a different dist. ??? or will it work??
thank you in advance.
Brad

arkracing · 11-10-2004, 06:36 PM

you can use it you just have to jump two of the wires together..purple and orange i think...tell me what colors they are and i'll see if i can remember....
I know it it is two and they are not next to eachother...
tell me the colors and where they are...put thim in order

i.e.
(black, red, orange, purple) or whatever...

tom hand · 11-10-2004, 07:22 PM

You really need an older dist for it to work correctly....might want to read this...
http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/hei.shtml

Longhorn Man · 11-10-2004, 09:21 PM

a 94 would be completely computer controlled...it will not work in your aplication.

thisolechevy · 11-10-2004, 09:35 PM

Cool thanks guys tomorrow I will get the other older model.

ChevyCruizer · 11-10-2004, 11:36 PM

look for one with the vacume advance sticking out of the side - bottom.

thisolechevy · 11-11-2004, 06:06 PM

O.k> so I go back to the junkyard where I got the dist with the 4-wire flat plug and tell the guy in charge whats up, and that I need an 81 or older. He says "NO" just splice these 2 wires here on the 4-plug and itll work just great, so he does it and says I am good to go. I head home hook it all up and nothing, no spark. Was he wrong?? I know you said it won't work, do I need to go back?

thisolechevy · 11-11-2004, 06:13 PM

Ohh yeah one more thing on the diagram I got it showed that the brown wire from the HEI dist. goes to the tach. and thats it. Is this right? it doesn't need some type of ground?

stickshift_or_walk · 11-11-2004, 06:26 PM

I've been told that same story about those later HEI's. It's probably true that you can make it run, but I have serious doubts about it being a long-term solution for a daily driver. This is because it no longer has any way to adjust spark advance based on engine vacuum, which is what the canister mentioned above is all about.

Here's a reference to an article that explains why the vacuum signal is important for a street engine.

SSOW

earlysecond · 11-11-2004, 06:35 PM

Depending on how much you want to spend. You can get a remanned with a warranty at auto zone or the like for < 100 bucks, all you need at that point is a cap. It may make it much easier, or that my not be an option due to the price.

thisolechevy · 11-11-2004, 11:46 PM

thanks for teh help guys I will go back to the junkyard and either change this one out for a pre-81 model. Or go to autozone as mentioned and get a re-make.
Thanks

68speedalert · 11-12-2004, 02:52 AM

Another big reason for not using the '94 unit. You have no mechanical advance. If you used that unit, your engine would run, but have the power of a 2.2 litre carberated 4 cyl dodge Omni with an automatic, with the a/c on and pulling a trailer.

Actually you want a unit from any 1980 or older trucks or cars. 1981 thru 1986 305 truck engines will work, but you will need to jumper the wires mentioned earlier. These units had something called "esc", electronic spark control. 1981 and up cars engines will NOT work, as they have no vacuum or mechanical advance, just like the '94 (although they look different). BTW, El Caminos count as car engines.

Longhorn Man · 11-12-2004, 08:14 AM

Whats wrong with the dodge Omni?

Tx Firefighter · 11-12-2004, 08:16 AM

They don't pull trailers well.

GMC AMI · 11-12-2004, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Whats wrong with the dodge Omni?

What's right with them maybe a shorter answer!

68speedalert · 11-12-2004, 02:30 PM

I think Omni's had really good gas caps.

Hooter · 11-12-2004, 05:18 PM

Oh cmon chicks dig omni's

mtipton · 11-12-2004, 05:38 PM

An HEI distributor without a vacuum advance will not work on an older GM application. ACCEL sells a very nice OE distributor for approx. $150. You will also need to buy Cap, Rotor, Coil and Plug wire set. This distributor is available thru virtually any auto parts outlet.

cableguy0 · 11-12-2004, 06:34 PM

wow why not just a complete unit brand new with cap rotor and coil already installed for 160 bucks i have one its made by proform it worked great never had a problem ran it for between 10 and 15k miles dunno for sure but never han any issue whatsoever

cochran63 · 11-12-2004, 10:07 PM

I had a new proform and it was nothing but junk. When I put it in my motor it would surge and buck for a while, then it would run good for a short period, and then back to the surging. I called proform and they said to start chaning parts out and they would reimburse me. After a dozen caps,moduls, pickups I gave up and went and got a salvage one and had no problems after that. Proform would't even give me a refund on the crappy distributor.

bigger=better · 11-13-2004, 12:47 AM

Hey, didn't Shelby have his own edition of the Omni? Turbo intercooled? But I guess it would still be just an Omni.

neonlarry · 11-13-2004, 03:39 AM

We had a shelby omni for a while. They arent the best looking cars I guess, but its well, just an omni thats fast and handles well.

They look like this

If you ever find one for cheap, they are worth $$ to some people. There were only 500 though, and a lot less now.

Longhorn Man · 11-13-2004, 06:42 AM

Actually, I'm thinking that is simply the Omni GLH (Goes Like Hell) I don't think Shelby had anything to do with that. Shelby did have the 2 dore one that I think sold under the Torismo badge, it was blue and silver, and I think the 2.2 in it was the normal weak one.

Tx Firefighter · 11-13-2004, 07:59 AM

Andy, Carrol Shelby was the man behind the GLH Omni.

I have a bunch if hidden fetishes, and turbo FWD Mopars is one. I love these cars. A 2.2 FWD Dodge can be bought for pocket change. Lots of turbo cars in the JY for parts too. 2.2 engine is bulletproof and cheap to fix when you do wind up hurting it.

thisolechevy · 11-13-2004, 09:48 AM

Thanks I got a dist. off of a 77 elky, and I am ready to wire it up right now.

11-10-2004, 06:11 PM	#1
thisolechevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 382	H.E.I. trouble Hey there I just picked up a used HEI dist. off of a 94 chevy van 305 motor and was reading the FAQ's page on how to do it and realized that the dist. I recieved and was told would work has the extra 4-wire flat plug, do I need to get a different dist. ??? or will it work?? thank you in advance. Brad __________________ Man I need another 67-72!!!

11-10-2004, 06:36 PM	#2
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	you can use it you just have to jump two of the wires together..purple and orange i think...tell me what colors they are and i'll see if i can remember.... I know it it is two and they are not next to eachother... tell me the colors and where they are...put thim in order i.e. (black, red, orange, purple) or whatever... __________________ -'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered

11-10-2004, 07:22 PM	#3
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	You really need an older dist for it to work correctly....might want to read this... http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/hei.shtml __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

11-10-2004, 09:35 PM	#5
thisolechevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 382	Cool thanks guys tomorrow I will get the other older model. __________________ Man I need another 67-72!!!

11-10-2004, 11:36 PM	#6
ChevyCruizer 17's too small Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 335	look for one with the vacume advance sticking out of the side - bottom. __________________ 68 C10 SWB SS 5 lug power disc brake conversion 2.5 inch drop spindles van tilt column Air Ride Technologies Cool Ride air bag kits Performance Online tubular upper control arms and shock relocator kits ECE super track panhard bar 1 piece side windows

11-10-2004, 09:21 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	a 94 would be completely computer controlled...it will not work in your aplication.

11-11-2004, 06:06 PM	#7
thisolechevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 382	O.k> so I go back to the junkyard where I got the dist with the 4-wire flat plug and tell the guy in charge whats up, and that I need an 81 or older. He says "NO" just splice these 2 wires here on the 4-plug and itll work just great, so he does it and says I am good to go. I head home hook it all up and nothing, no spark. Was he wrong?? I know you said it won't work, do I need to go back? __________________ Man I need another 67-72!!!

11-11-2004, 06:13 PM	#8
thisolechevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 382	Ohh yeah one more thing on the diagram I got it showed that the brown wire from the HEI dist. goes to the tach. and thats it. Is this right? it doesn't need some type of ground? __________________ Man I need another 67-72!!!

11-11-2004, 06:26 PM	#9
stickshift_or_walk Left Foot Functioning Join Date: May 2004 Location: Duncan, OK Posts: 350	I've been told that same story about those later HEI's. It's probably true that you can make it run, but I have serious doubts about it being a long-term solution for a daily driver. This is because it no longer has any way to adjust spark advance based on engine vacuum, which is what the canister mentioned above is all about. Here's a reference to an article that explains why the vacuum signal is important for a street engine. SSOW __________________ 69 C10 (#1 son's ride) 72 C20 (Dad's farm truck) 82 K30 (Ex - brush pumper project)

11-11-2004, 06:35 PM	#10
earlysecond Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Altoona, PA Posts: 5	Depending on how much you want to spend. You can get a remanned with a warranty at auto zone or the like for < 100 bucks, all you need at that point is a cap. It may make it much easier, or that my not be an option due to the price.

11-11-2004, 11:46 PM	#11
thisolechevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 382	thanks for teh help guys I will go back to the junkyard and either change this one out for a pre-81 model. Or go to autozone as mentioned and get a re-make. Thanks __________________ Man I need another 67-72!!!

11-12-2004, 02:52 AM	#12
68speedalert Semi-Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Washington, MO Posts: 390	Another big reason for not using the '94 unit. You have no mechanical advance. If you used that unit, your engine would run, but have the power of a 2.2 litre carberated 4 cyl dodge Omni with an automatic, with the a/c on and pulling a trailer. Actually you want a unit from any 1980 or older trucks or cars. 1981 thru 1986 305 truck engines will work, but you will need to jumper the wires mentioned earlier. These units had something called "esc", electronic spark control. 1981 and up cars engines will NOT work, as they have no vacuum or mechanical advance, just like the '94 (although they look different). BTW, El Caminos count as car engines. __________________ '68 50th Anniversery LWB Custom Fleetside, '77 305 v-8, turbo 350, factory speed alert (still works), '71 drivetrain w/front discs. Some call it ugly yellow, others call it Ochre '83 Jeep CJ-7, <80,000 miles, original owner '04 Chevy Suburban, 4x4, 2500, 6.0 ltr, Predator Diablo programmer '95 GMC K1500 Extended cab

11-12-2004, 08:14 AM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Whats wrong with the dodge Omni?

11-12-2004, 08:16 AM	#14
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	They don't pull trailers well. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-12-2004, 02:30 PM	#16
68speedalert Semi-Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Washington, MO Posts: 390	I think Omni's had really good gas caps. __________________ '68 50th Anniversery LWB Custom Fleetside, '77 305 v-8, turbo 350, factory speed alert (still works), '71 drivetrain w/front discs. Some call it ugly yellow, others call it Ochre '83 Jeep CJ-7, <80,000 miles, original owner '04 Chevy Suburban, 4x4, 2500, 6.0 ltr, Predator Diablo programmer '95 GMC K1500 Extended cab



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11-12-2004, 05:18 PM	#17
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	Oh cmon chicks dig omni's __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

11-12-2004, 05:38 PM	#18
mtipton Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2	HEI Convertion An HEI distributor without a vacuum advance will not work on an older GM application. ACCEL sells a very nice OE distributor for approx. $150. You will also need to buy Cap, Rotor, Coil and Plug wire set. This distributor is available thru virtually any auto parts outlet.

11-12-2004, 06:34 PM	#19
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	wow why not just a complete unit brand new with cap rotor and coil already installed for 160 bucks i have one its made by proform it worked great never had a problem ran it for between 10 and 15k miles dunno for sure but never han any issue whatsoever __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-12-2004, 10:07 PM	#20
cochran63 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,057	I had a new proform and it was nothing but junk. When I put it in my motor it would surge and buck for a while, then it would run good for a short period, and then back to the surging. I called proform and they said to start chaning parts out and they would reimburse me. After a dozen caps,moduls, pickups I gave up and went and got a salvage one and had no problems after that. Proform would't even give me a refund on the crappy distributor. __________________ Youth soon passes away, but immaturity can last a life time.

11-13-2004, 12:47 AM	#21
bigger=better Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: WV Posts: 92	Hey, didn't Shelby have his own edition of the Omni? Turbo intercooled? But I guess it would still be just an Omni. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ '68 GMC Sub 4X4 new project '69 Pontiac GTO 20 year project Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine, into your brain, and that's where you get sh*tty ideas from.

11-13-2004, 03:39 AM	#22
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	We had a shelby omni for a while. They arent the best looking cars I guess, but its well, just an omni thats fast and handles well. They look like this If you ever find one for cheap, they are worth $$ to some people. There were only 500 though, and a lot less now. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

11-13-2004, 06:42 AM	#23
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Actually, I'm thinking that is simply the Omni GLH (Goes Like Hell) I don't think Shelby had anything to do with that. Shelby did have the 2 dore one that I think sold under the Torismo badge, it was blue and silver, and I think the 2.2 in it was the normal weak one.

11-13-2004, 07:59 AM	#24
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Andy, Carrol Shelby was the man behind the GLH Omni. I have a bunch if hidden fetishes, and turbo FWD Mopars is one. I love these cars. A 2.2 FWD Dodge can be bought for pocket change. Lots of turbo cars in the JY for parts too. 2.2 engine is bulletproof and cheap to fix when you do wind up hurting it. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-13-2004, 09:48 AM	#25
thisolechevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 382	Thanks I got a dist. off of a 77 elky, and I am ready to wire it up right now. __________________ Man I need another 67-72!!!

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