distributor on 350

[tk1251k]

How long should I wait before I put in a new distributor or do they break Truck has original 372,000 miles. I have driven 300,000. Just trying to be prepared is all. Are they difficult to change. thanks

[smoked68]

No they are not hard to change at all. I have a brand new (2 weeks usage) HEI dist. If you are interested let me know.
Get you one of those Chilton or Haynes books, they are handy some times. I am a FORD guy so all this chevy stuff I have to look up. Good luck. Mike

[C & A s Dad]

Distributors will eventuraly wear out. I just replaced mine on my 71 this past weekend with an HEI unit. I used a 30 1845 from A1 Cardone. I did not want to do this because my truck in otherwise 100% original. However, it made it run so much better. The throttle response is unbelieveable compared to the old system. This was a really easy swap. You will need a cap, rotor, coil and coil cover as well as a set of HEI wires. I can provide step by step if you decide to do this but there are some other posts on this site that provide some good info.

I would strongly recommend the HEI system unless you are showing the truck.

[rcheesem]

Is there a step by step for this install? I tried doing a search and came back with nothing. Anybody have a link?

Thanks,
Rick

[tk1251k]

I would appreciate directions. Where did you get yours. and does it come complete without wires . terry

[C & A s Dad]

I wish I could locate the link I used to help me.

Let me summarize the steps:

1) Get dist with vac advance, cap, rotor, coil, coil cover, HEI Wires. plugs that can be gapped to .045 ( I used # 2 AC Rapid Fires but R 45TS would be fine) and some 10 to 12 gauge wire with a 30 amp in line fuse holder.
2) Remove old cap before removing dist and leave wires attached. Mark the cap where the rotor was pointing.
3) Make a good mark to a point exatly where your rotor is pointing.
4) Remove the dist.
5) The new one will be installed with the new rotor pointing directly at the mark you made. Your gears are sprial to some degree but you can easily stab it so the rotor ends up in exatly the same postion. You may need to turn your oil pump shaft slightly with a long slotted Screwdriver so it will align with the dist, but likely not. Be sure and do not turn the engine over while the old dist is out. If you do, you will loose your timing mark and have to go back to top dead center on # 1 to wire it up.
6) Assuming that you have already installed the coil in your new cap, mount the cap to the distributor. Connect the 3 wire plug from the dist to the cap.
7) One at a time beginning with the wire where your rotor was sitting, begin replacing your wires with the HEI wires. As long as you take care at this point, you will have no firing order issues.
8) After you are wired, find the pink wire under your dash either coming from the switch or from the fuse box. Splice in the 30 amp fuse holder, connect it to the 10ga or 12 ga wire and run it through the firewall. You will need a spade connector to plug it into the BAT connnection on the dist cap. This is the only connection you will need. Tape off the yellow wire coming from your old coil as it will not be needed. Do not attempt to use your old hot wire that went to your old coil. It will not be enough to pull the new coil.

This is a really easy swap and these instructions will eliminate the need for you to re wire the plug wires because you are installing the new dist in exactly the same place as the old one.

You will like the results. It sure woke up my little motor.

[tk1251k]

Thanks alot I will let you know something next week when I get to it. terry

[dan42]

here's a linky - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=17403

[tk1251k]

Very helpful seems easy enough but I read on other threads where guys have alot of problems with the change. Anyone else had ba experience. That for the link Dan. terry

[streetstar]

replacing points with an hei is a good idea anyway

[powell72]

Originally Posted by smoked68

I am a FORD guy so all this chevy stuff I have to look up. Good luck. Mike

You're probably cussing wondering what it's doing way back by the firewall!

[mvfd70]

372,000 miles? Is that the original engine? I'm assuming it's been rebuilt at least once. If not that's amazing. Congratulations on all those miles. Thats just outstanding that it held up to all that driving. Just goes to show how good old American steel holds up.

Don't mean to threadjack but still..wow.

[tk1251k]

The only major thing done heads done about 275,000. Oil pan never been off.I bought from original owner in 1980 for 1,450.00. It was like new. I had transmission re bilt 260,000 . It even has all original a/c hoses and that works great. I drive it every day.