HEI install on a 4 wheel drive?

[BIGBLU 72]

Im trying to replace the points style dist in my jimmy with a hei style dist but it looks like it wont fit becasue of how close it is to the fire wall? Its a small block 400 if that helps any? What am i goin to have to do to get it to fit?

[my67chevytruck]

another option is a small cap HEI. Skip white (ebay)carries those.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-C...Q5fAccessories

Item number: 350333398793

[jasons]

I have an HEI in my 70 Blazer with a small block. There is probably less than 1/2" of clearance, but it does fit.

[BIGBLU 72]

i wnt have to lift the motor ir pullit to fit it in there?

[jaros44sr]

I agree! It is tight, but it will fit. I have to trim my spsrk plug wires locking ring to get a little more clearance. Accel recommends using the locking ring

other option is to slit your firewall and move back at the area of tight fit, maybe later but not right now for me

[jasons]

I've had the distributor out without having to do more than removing the cap and tilting the distributor forward while lifting it out. I am not using a retaining ring for the plug wires on mine.

[GASoline71]

A regular HEI will fit...

Gary

[BIGBLU 72]

It's a street fire so i'm thinking it will be okay

[vectorit]

Save the point distributor, and buy a Pertronix conversion kit.
Easy hook up, and it looks original.

[dauntless_powered]

Originally Posted by vectorit

Save the point distributor, and buy a Pertronix conversion kit.
Easy hook up, and it looks original.

Gotta agree with this one (even though I have an HEI in my 67) but I have used several Pertronix kits in my JEEPs with great success

[Stocker]

I have a GM HEI in my '72 K20 with 350 engine. Tight, yes, but it fits okay. It's been a long time, but I'm pretty sure the cap needs to be off to R&R the distributor.

[jrdv]

I have Big Cap GM HEI on all 5 4X4's ( 1969 GMC 1/2 ton, 1972 Chev 3/4 ton, 1971 Chev 3/4 ton, 1972 Blazer, 1971 1/2 ton) and the only issue is the cap has to be off to install and remove distributer.

The hold down clamp closest to the firewall takes a little acrobat move---use a short screwdriver to push down while you use your fingers to pull the L shaped catch to the outside.

None of mine rub tight on the firewall. The plug wires will touch the firewall, but is not an issue.

Good Luck

john

[BIGBLU 72]

I got it in there but haven't got it timed or anything yet! Couldn't get it to fire? The vac advance should be on the right or left when looking at it?

[Husker]

It will fit with room to spare. I run a big cap and it fits fine, just doesn't lok like it will.
Ron

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by BIGBLU 72

I got it in there but haven't got it timed or anything yet! Couldn't get it to fire? The vac advance should be on the right or left when looking at it?

The left... when lookin' at it.

Gary

[BIGBLU 72]

Hmm mines on the right? So what do I need to do to fix thst? Just lift it up a little and spin it?

[Critter]

Originally Posted by BIGBLU 72

Hmm mines on the right? So what do I need to do to fix thst? Just lift it up a little and spin it?

Also you need to run a new wire to the HEI, your original coil wire won't provide enough voltage. (maybe you have already done this and I missed it.)

[BIGBLU 72]

Where does the wire need to come from?

[Critter]

Originally Posted by BIGBLU 72

Where does the wire need to come from?

Lots of info on this website about the HEI topic. Here are a couple important ones I got from running a quick search...

HEI Setup

Fuse Box

Basically you need to run a new 10ga wire from the "ign unfused" tab on the fuse panel to the new HEI cap. Put an inline fuse somewhere on this wire and you should be good to go (I run a 15amp fuse).