will any old HEI work? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rambler · 04-23-2004, 04:15 PM

just missed on ebay a members HEI setup...wasnt paying enough attention.. well I found another one.. and wondering if it will work this is a "slightly used olds 455 distributor HEI" said will fit any OLDS V-8.... so will it fit my 72 Chevy stock 350???? thanks for your help...

junkyardjohn · 04-23-2004, 04:25 PM

NO .. OLDs HEI WILL ONLY WORK IN OLDs. CADDY HEI WILL ONLY WORK IN CADDYs ECT. WHAT YOU NEED IS AN HEI OUT OF A CHEVROLET (OR GMC). BIG OR SMALL BLOCK ARE THE SAME.

JOHN

FrankHoy · 04-23-2004, 04:32 PM

Not all Oldsmobiles had a OLDs engine. Some late 70's - early 80s actually had Chevy motors. They did this to cut cost and then went back when they got too many complaints, from the new Olds owners.

With that said, I don't think any 455 distributor will work on a chevy block. Totally different block structure.

Olden Days · 04-23-2004, 06:39 PM

anyone know what year the chevy hei is not interchangable anymore? Some one told me an hei out of an mid eighties 305 would not work on a 69 350. Is that true?

Tim Cline · 04-23-2004, 08:20 PM

I believe that from 75 thru 80 any V8 Chevy. I am not 100 percent on this it may be from 73 to 80 but as long as it didnt come out of a computer car or truck ur ok.

junkyardjohn · 04-24-2004, 12:38 AM

AS LONG AS IT'S A VACUUME ADVANCE DIST. & OUT OF A CHEVY OR GMC............IT'LL WORK.

JOHN

Blue Beard · 04-24-2004, 10:14 AM

Glad to see this post, just bought one myself and wondered for sure....

Mine has the vac advance...

rambler · 04-26-2004, 11:00 AM

thanks guys,, now just got to find one.... dont have time to hit the junkyards right now..

junkyardjohn · 04-26-2004, 01:24 PM

I HAVE A COUPLE OF REAL NICE ONES. TIGHT BUSHINGS, THE WIREING AND ALL THE MODULATORS LOOK GOOD, COMPLETE WITH CAP, ROTOR & COIL....... $50 + SHIPPING

JOHN

rambler · 04-27-2004, 05:57 PM

how much would shipping be to 64040 or to 66211? Thanks

GMC Jim · 04-27-2004, 07:33 PM

as others have stated; most Chev HEI units are interchangeable...The main differences are the advance curve... I feel that the HEI unit weights and springs should be set up for the engine in which it is installed... The best method is to use a facility that has a distributor machine and have them set the advance curve properly for best economy and performance....

junkyardjohn · 04-27-2004, 08:35 PM

RAMBLER... LETS SAY $12

GMC JIM ... WHILE I'M SURE THAT THE GM HEI WILL PERFORM BETTER IF THE ADVANCE CURVE IS ADJUSTED, I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE THAT WAS PUT IN A CHEVY MOTOR THAT DIDN'T WORK..... & WORK GREAT WITHOUT ANY MODIFICATIONS . (PROVIDING IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY TO BEGIN WITH)

JOHN

GMC Jim · 04-27-2004, 09:19 PM

John.. sure do agree with you that the HEI's will work with most applications....However, many HEI units designed for heavy duty emmisions had an advance curve that would give very poor performance....For example the specs for 1971 GMC/Chev 350 cu.in engine is a total of vacuum and centrifugal advance --20 to 27 degrees @ 2000 engine RPM......
!980 Chev/GMC Lt. Truck (heavy duty Emissions) specifies a total vacuum & centrifugal advance of 8 to 16 dregrees @ 2000 RPM....
.....If this distributor would be installed on a 1971 Chev/GMC 350 eng.. performance and fuel economy would defintley suffer....

GM Manual #SD-100 '1971 - 80 Tuneup Specificationslists the specs as quoted above....Jim

GMC Jim · 04-27-2004, 09:30 PM

looking thru the manual mentioned in above msg....it appears that ; in general, the replacement HEI dist. should come from the same eng. displacement as the engine the unit will be installed in..
In other words; if your engine is 350 cu. in.; then it is better if the HEI unit also came from a 350 cu. in engine........ Jim

junkyardjohn · 04-27-2004, 09:38 PM

I'LL BE EXTRA CAREFUL INSTALLING THESE IN THE FUTURE.

JOHN

72C203503ONTHETREE · 04-27-2004, 10:06 PM

I got a brand new HEI with a 50,000 volt coil for $100 shipped off of e baY. Look on there, you will find a lot of new and good stuff there for a lot cheaper than most aftermarket places and not much more than a used one.

GMC Jim · 04-27-2004, 10:55 PM

...... more info on HEI,s in the FAQ section of this board.........

tomsC10R · 04-28-2004, 11:00 AM

Be carefull with Ebay. I bought one for $75 and needless to say it's going to be a core for napa. Damn thing would barely turn. Ok, I'm done.

busterwivell · 04-28-2004, 04:53 PM

That's interesting........we took the HEI out of my daughter's 79 Malibu after it was wrecked and put it in the 454 in my friend's OLD flatbed truck and it's still running with it 12 years later.

Tim Cline · 04-30-2004, 08:56 AM

The one in my truck now was locked up when i got it - i soaked it pb blaster for a few days then took it apart cleaned it up and now it works like new.

junkyardjohn · 04-30-2004, 10:46 AM

AMAZING..... SIMPLY AMAZING

JOHN

72C203503ONTHETREE · 04-30-2004, 03:44 PM

I wouldnt buy used off of e bay, only new ones and from people with 100% positive feedback.

04-23-2004, 04:15 PM	#1
rambler MOVE OVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Warrensburg, MO Posts: 5,470	will any old HEI work? just missed on ebay a members HEI setup...wasnt paying enough attention.. well I found another one.. and wondering if it will work this is a "slightly used olds 455 distributor HEI" said will fit any OLDS V-8.... so will it fit my 72 Chevy stock 350???? thanks for your help... __________________ No matter where you are..... There you are... Buckaroo Banzi

04-23-2004, 04:25 PM	#2
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	NO .. OLDs HEI WILL ONLY WORK IN OLDs. CADDY HEI WILL ONLY WORK IN CADDYs ECT. WHAT YOU NEED IS AN HEI OUT OF A CHEVROLET (OR GMC). BIG OR SMALL BLOCK ARE THE SAME. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

04-23-2004, 04:32 PM	#3
FrankHoy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 154	Not all Oldsmobiles had a OLDs engine. Some late 70's - early 80s actually had Chevy motors. They did this to cut cost and then went back when they got too many complaints, from the new Olds owners. With that said, I don't think any 455 distributor will work on a chevy block. Totally different block structure. __________________ 72 Cheyenne 2wd LWB 402/350 CC/PS/PB/AC Tilt/Tach (upgrading to 4X4 402/700R4 CC/PS/PB/AC Tilt/Tach PW/PL) 71 Custom Deluxe 350/350 Tilt/PS/PB 00 Blazer

04-23-2004, 08:20 PM	#5
Tim Cline Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North East Alabama Posts: 47	I believe that from 75 thru 80 any V8 Chevy. I am not 100 percent on this it may be from 73 to 80 but as long as it didnt come out of a computer car or truck ur ok. __________________ 67 GMC SWB Project:60 4BM 350 4SPD 67 Chevy C10 Custom LWB V8 Project 69 LWB IL6 3 on tree project 71 SWB Frame off project 72 LWB C10 Factory Tilt Project.

04-24-2004, 12:38 AM	#6
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	AS LONG AS IT'S A VACUUME ADVANCE DIST. & OUT OF A CHEVY OR GMC............IT'LL WORK. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

04-23-2004, 06:39 PM	#4
Olden Days Living In The Past Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rockies Posts: 709	anyone know what year the chevy hei is not interchangable anymore? Some one told me an hei out of an mid eighties 305 would not work on a 69 350. Is that true?

04-24-2004, 10:14 AM	#7
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Glad to see this post, just bought one myself and wondered for sure.... Mine has the vac advance... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

04-26-2004, 11:00 AM	#8
rambler MOVE OVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Warrensburg, MO Posts: 5,470	thanks guys,, now just got to find one.... dont have time to hit the junkyards right now.. __________________ No matter where you are..... There you are... Buckaroo Banzi

04-26-2004, 01:24 PM	#9
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	I HAVE A COUPLE OF REAL NICE ONES. TIGHT BUSHINGS, THE WIREING AND ALL THE MODULATORS LOOK GOOD, COMPLETE WITH CAP, ROTOR & COIL....... $50 + SHIPPING JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

04-27-2004, 05:57 PM	#10
rambler MOVE OVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Warrensburg, MO Posts: 5,470	how much would shipping be to 64040 or to 66211? Thanks __________________ No matter where you are..... There you are... Buckaroo Banzi

04-27-2004, 07:33 PM	#11
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	as others have stated; most Chev HEI units are interchangeable...The main differences are the advance curve... I feel that the HEI unit weights and springs should be set up for the engine in which it is installed... The best method is to use a facility that has a distributor machine and have them set the advance curve properly for best economy and performance.... __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

04-27-2004, 08:35 PM	#12
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	RAMBLER... LETS SAY $12 GMC JIM ... WHILE I'M SURE THAT THE GM HEI WILL PERFORM BETTER IF THE ADVANCE CURVE IS ADJUSTED, I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE THAT WAS PUT IN A CHEVY MOTOR THAT DIDN'T WORK..... & WORK GREAT WITHOUT ANY MODIFICATIONS . (PROVIDING IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY TO BEGIN WITH) JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

04-27-2004, 09:19 PM	#13
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	John.. sure do agree with you that the HEI's will work with most applications....However, many HEI units designed for heavy duty emmisions had an advance curve that would give very poor performance....For example the specs for 1971 GMC/Chev 350 cu.in engine is a total of vacuum and centrifugal advance --20 to 27 degrees @ 2000 engine RPM...... !980 Chev/GMC Lt. Truck (heavy duty Emissions) specifies a total vacuum & centrifugal advance of 8 to 16 dregrees @ 2000 RPM.... .....If this distributor would be installed on a 1971 Chev/GMC 350 eng.. performance and fuel economy would defintley suffer.... GM Manual #SD-100 '1971 - 80 Tuneup Specificationslists the specs as quoted above....Jim __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

04-27-2004, 09:30 PM	#14
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	looking thru the manual mentioned in above msg....it appears that ; in general, the replacement HEI dist. should come from the same eng. displacement as the engine the unit will be installed in.. In other words; if your engine is 350 cu. in.; then it is better if the HEI unit also came from a 350 cu. in engine........ Jim __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

04-27-2004, 09:38 PM	#15
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	I'LL BE EXTRA CAREFUL INSTALLING THESE IN THE FUTURE. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST



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04-27-2004, 10:06 PM	#16
72C203503ONTHETREE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Grant, Alabama Posts: 504	I got a brand new HEI with a 50,000 volt coil for $100 shipped off of e baY. Look on there, you will find a lot of new and good stuff there for a lot cheaper than most aftermarket places and not much more than a used one. __________________ 72 Chevy C20, SOLD (Dang it.) 09 Challanger RT six speed in all black. 74 Datsun 710 wagon, all 1.8 liters of screaming Datsun power. 73 C10 long bed, 350/350 combo, nice shape.

04-27-2004, 10:55 PM	#17
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	...... more info on HEI,s in the FAQ section of this board......... __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

04-28-2004, 11:00 AM	#18
tomsC10R Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 281	Be carefull with Ebay. I bought one for $75 and needless to say it's going to be a core for napa. Damn thing would barely turn. Ok, I'm done. __________________ Tom 1968 C10 LWB. 402 BB, Holley MPI, 700R4. 4wheel Hydroboost Disk Brakes.

04-28-2004, 04:53 PM	#19
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	That's interesting........we took the HEI out of my daughter's 79 Malibu after it was wrecked and put it in the 454 in my friend's OLD flatbed truck and it's still running with it 12 years later. __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

04-30-2004, 08:56 AM	#20
Tim Cline Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North East Alabama Posts: 47	The one in my truck now was locked up when i got it - i soaked it pb blaster for a few days then took it apart cleaned it up and now it works like new. __________________ 67 GMC SWB Project:60 4BM 350 4SPD 67 Chevy C10 Custom LWB V8 Project 69 LWB IL6 3 on tree project 71 SWB Frame off project 72 LWB C10 Factory Tilt Project.

04-30-2004, 10:46 AM	#21
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	AMAZING..... SIMPLY AMAZING JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

04-30-2004, 03:44 PM	#22
72C203503ONTHETREE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Grant, Alabama Posts: 504	I wouldnt buy used off of e bay, only new ones and from people with 100% positive feedback. __________________ 72 Chevy C20, SOLD (Dang it.) 09 Challanger RT six speed in all black. 74 Datsun 710 wagon, all 1.8 liters of screaming Datsun power. 73 C10 long bed, 350/350 combo, nice shape.

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