Hei distributor question

[abranz]

I'm planning on a hei conversion and would like to use a distributor with the external coil found in 75-77 yrs. Parts houses list a different dist number for a 75-76 and a 77 model yr. anyone know the difference between them? I'm assuming timing or vacuum advance difference. Thanks

[James the III]

Originally Posted by abranz

I'm planning on a hei conversion and would like to use a distributor with the external coil found in 75-77 yrs. Parts houses list a different dist number for a 75-76 and a 77 model yr. anyone know the difference between them? I'm assuming timing or vacuum advance difference. Thanks

So this is for an inline 6 as no animal for the v8
in 75-77 ..
any reason you don't want the all in one HEI..?

[abranz]

I don't know why, looks I guess and I don't like the idea of the coil on top of the module. It's for my 250 engine. Cardone lists part 1691 for a 77 and 1692 for yrs 75-76. Just wondering what the difference is between them.

[Jcfcamaro]

Most after market companies sell what looks like a points distributor, but is eletronic and uses a external coil. I'm running a Pertronixs in my 67 camaro.

[RichardJ]

The only real reason to use the external coil distributor is for clearance for an AC compressor. There is less clearance for removing the cap than the picture suggests, even with the short cap.
The hardware for mounting the coil is impossible to find. If you do find a wrecking yard dist and coil, don't worry about the year. Remember this coil must be solidly grounded to the engine.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I have a '68 C/10 Stepside with an L6 292. I went with the external coil for a '75 Chevy 292. I tried the taller Cap-in-Coil L6 HEI, but it interfered with the front lifter side cover.
The stock coil brackets mount to special stud/bolts: one in the last place on the front lifter side cover and one on the first place on the rear lifter side cover. Then, there's the horseshoe coil bracket that mounts on those 2 studs. Impossible to get,

For a coil bracket, my buddy cut up some galvanized steel channel and we mounted the coil to two of the holes on the side, while the bracket was mounted to the two vertical bolt holes on the head, just back of the #2 spark plug hole. Worked perfectly.
Pix later.

[binford]

For my 68, with a 250ci, I used a 78 dissy, makes it easier to remember the next time I needed parts.