What do I need to put an hei in my truck?

[Dachdu69C10]

Hey guys, I went to my local junkyard and pulled a hei distributor out of a 81 chevy. And I'm wondering what I need to do to get it to work properly in my truck. I've got a later 70's 350 in it with a edelbrock 1406 carb and a edelbrock performer eps manifold. Thanks in advance.
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[Stocker]

Here's a stickied thread that should answer any questions. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=13698


It's fairly straightforward.... remove the old dizzy, drop in the HEI, run a new 12 ga. power wire, replace plug wires with 8mm wires, and re-gap the plugs from .035" to .045". Of course if the plugs are worn, get new ones, same type as stock.

[mmiddle]

Yep pretty much sums it up! Easy, breezy super greasy

[WIDESIDE72]

I would advise checking the old dist out for wear. Also be sure it has a decent brand us made module (ac delco/ standard, etc) Those cheap chinese ones (wells?) will leave you on the side if the road. I worked at walmart during high school in the late 80's and they actually sold modules and voltage regulators (junk).
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[DT1]

I put an Ac Delco HEI distributor in mine a few years back. Like WIDESIDE72 said, make sure you get a good module. I had a problem burning modules out for some time. It seemed like I was changing them out about every three months. The problem always occurred after I shut the truck down. The module soaks up latent heat from the distributor body and dies. I tried Mallory, Delco, Accel, Davis Unified and Pertronix modules with the same results. Also tried different heat sink compounds to remedy the problem. I finally tried a Pertronix racing module, part number D2070 that only draws 7.2 amps and it has been working fine for almost five years now.

[Dachdu69C10]

I did check out the distributor it looks like its in good shape other then some rust on the springs from sitting. But then again I'm no mechanic so, I hope I got a good one. The coil cover is Delco but I'm not sure about the rest of it.
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[DT1]

Originally Posted by Dachdu69C10

I did check out the distributor it looks like its in good shape other then some rust on the springs from sitting. But then again I'm no mechanic so, I hope I got a good one. The coil cover is Delco but I'm not sure about the rest of it.
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Here's a link for a tune up kit that will work with Delco.
http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/fla...cessories.aspx

[WIDESIDE72]

Be sure the mechanical advance mechanism isnt stuck and the vacuum diaphragm isnt ruptured in order to get best performance. Also a good idea to pick up an advance kit to tinker with springs etc to tailor the advance. Most 80's vehicles were pretty tame as far as advance.
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[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by DT1

I put an Ac Delco HEI distributor in mine a few years back. Like WIDESIDE72 said, make sure you get a good module. I had a problem burning modules out for some time. It seemed like I was changing them out about every three months. The problem always occurred after I shut the truck down. The module soaks up latent heat from the distributor body and dies. I tried Mallory, Delco, Accel, Davis Unified and Pertronix modules with the same results. Also tried different heat sink compounds to remedy the problem. I finally tried a Pertronix racing module, part number D2070 that only draws 7.2 amps and it has been working fine for almost five years now.

When you have an HEI that eats modules, change the coil. A bad coil will kill them. Some shops won't install a new module without doing the coil also for this reason. A lesson I learned when I was younger from a much wiser old mechanic.
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[jocko]

THAT is excellent advice tx ff, thx for sharing.
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[DT1]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

When you have an HEI that eats modules, change the coil. A bad coil will kill them. Some shops won't install a new module without doing the coil also for this reason. A lesson I learned when I was younger from a much wiser old mechanic.
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Yup, I tried that already. The only one that will work in my Delco unit is the Pertronix D2070.

[WIDESIDE72]

Since i learned that an MSD 6 will make the module unnecessary, i have picked up several used ones at swap meets, always less than $50 as the sellers always say they dont know how to wire them up. Funny thing is, MSD has the directions on their website as a .pdf!
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