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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
My HEI gave up the ghost last night. I have 12v to the dizzy but no spark at the plugs. It's probably the coil or the module that has failed. From what I've read it's best to replace the cap, rotor, coil and module all at the same time but Napa wants close to $150 for those parts.
So... looking at Summit I can get a rebuild/upgrade kit for $72 or an entirely new Summit HEI distributor for $92 or one of the "Skip White" ones for $55. Is there any reason to rebuild the stock unit versus buying a new one? Thanks. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Lindenhurst, IL
Posts: 659
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
I'd say, unless you have a reason to replace the entire distributor, just go for the upgrade. That way you don't have to reset the timing... not that resetting the timing is hard, but if you don't have a timing light, it's difficult to do. Of course, 55 beans for a new HEI is hard to beat.
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
Quote:
I would need to buy a timing light but then I would have one so it's not like money wasted. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: minonk illinois
Posts: 224
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
just time it by ear ,just as good as a light if you are patient, my engine has no timing pointer and it runs like mother.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
I ordered a new dizzy and a rebuild kit from Skip White. Prices have come down an the dizzy was less than $50 and the kit was $25 for cap, rotor, coil and module. I figure I 'll swap the rebuild stuff into my old GM unit first and then put in the new dizzy when the weather warms up.
I will report back after the weekend. |
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#6 |
Parts and more parts
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere
Posts: 6,821
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
There are two possibilities for your NO SPARK issue. #1, the module inside the dizzy went bad---that would be my first choice and by far the easiest to change out. Remember to put a coating of Die-Electric grease under the module. #2 The pick up coil at the base of the dizzy (inside the cap) can go bad---been there, seen that. This will require the dizzy to be pulled from the engine and the center shaft pulled out of the housing. I would try this ONLY if the module changeout does NOT work. As for the rest of the dizzy parts, I would consider the cap and rotor while you are there.
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Frank |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 764
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
Quote:
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72 Cheyenne Super 1/2 LWB White/Dark Yellow 07 Avalanche 2LT 74 Sleek Craft Rebel Jet Boat W/Pontiac 400 Last edited by OhOneWS6; 01-06-2010 at 09:15 PM. |
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#8 | |
Just Not Low Enough!
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 525
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
Quote:
but if your up to it, go for it, once you do it you will be invaluable in a situation as such, as i have been lol.
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NEED ELECTRICAL HELP? ASK ME! 67-72 Full Wiring Diagrams Lots Of Info, TAKE A LOOK 1967 Chevy C-10 Shortbox Bagged 327 4spd ![]() Previous: 1971 Chevy C-10 Short Sep I6 Auto (Traded) 1973 Chevy C-20 *THE REDNECK BATTLE TRUCK* 2001 Chevy Silverado 2Dr 5.3L Shortbox. R.I.P. 1969 Volkswagen Bug This is my first meeting, I have a horsepower problem. |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: muncy pa
Posts: 425
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
at our shop we have used the hei distributors off ebay. we have been buying them for $51 shipped to the door and they work great. its not worth rebuilding one when you can buy new that cheap. mike
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67 short bed stepside tach tilt buddy buckets bagged sittin on 20s and 4w disc brakes (not quite finnished) ![]() |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
OK...
The new distributor is in. I got it started and it idles OK but stumbles when you try to drive. It doesn't die but it runs very poorly. Seems like it's running best with the dizzy rotated clockwise until the vac canister almost hits the trans dipstick... and I think it might benefit from MORE turning. If I rotate counterclockwise it quickly starts to backfire on one cylinder on the passenger side. Do I need to pull the dizzy and put it in with the housing rotated to give more clockwise adjustment? The rotor on the new dizzy went in a little "off" in that it dropped in a few degrees more "clockwise" than the original. |
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#11 |
Chevy Lover Till The End.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mascot TN.
Posts: 795
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
Hello, you could pull it out and set it back a tooth or you could just move your plug wires back one. I think it would be easier to move the wires. JMO.
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
Quote:
That's great advise. I'm just trying to smooth it out a bit so I can drive and get a timing light. ![]() |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,500
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
Quote:
It isn't that hard to do it right and doing it any other way is just flat being lazy. Usually before I pull a distributor I will mark the location of the rotor an mark the location of the advance canister. When I put the distributor back I line the rotor up with the mark and the advance up close to it's mark and set it in. If it doesn't drop I will crank the engine over and let the shaft drop down on the oil pump drive. Then usually I'll bump it over so the Timing marks are lined up and set the distributor so that the rotor is at number one, If I miss, I pull it out and move it a tooth. And repeat. No biggie, Rome wasn't built in a day and a few more minutes won't kill me if I have it right. I've got one of the HEIs that Skip White sells on Ebay and it was one of the best things I did to my 71. It makes all the world of a difference on starting the engine and I feel like I picked up noticeable gas mileage. That means between one and two mpg but that is noticeable on our trucks. |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
Quote:
I moved the wires and it gave me room to play and get it to run a little better. There may even be enough adjustment with the wires in the correct place. I need to get a timing light. Last edited by snowblind; 01-13-2010 at 04:56 PM. |
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#15 | |
Parts and more parts
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere
Posts: 6,821
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
Quote:
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Frank |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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Re: HEI - Rebuild or replace with new
I ended up swinging by a local garage and had them check the timing. It looks like I had the dizzy in 2 or 3 teeth off so they pulled it out, pulled the #1 spark plug and had me bump over the engine with the starter 5 or 6 times. (I'm guessing this is a method of finding TDC?)
I was already running HEI before but it was "well used". With the new dizzy the truck runs and revs much smoother. |
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