HEI types question (rigid v. flex ends) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Luvlegs · 06-18-2007, 11:20 AM

I've pulled two HEIs - one was in 68 GMC, the other from a mid 70's nova - both I6's They both look identical, both with the external coils - ONE difference I can see - the one that was in the truck has a "jointed" tail shaft - about 2" above the part that engages the oil pump, there is a pin through the shaft and it can "wobble" a little bit. The other one, off the nova, is solid all the way to the end. The gears look identical, the shaft housings, everything.
Just wondering what's the purpose (if any, new technology for the time, etc). At this point, I am considering installing the rigid one as it seems less likely to "break" or have issues - correct?
Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks all!

hyarbour · 06-18-2007, 01:29 PM

If they've got external coils from that period, they're not HEI. Someone might have converted them to electronic, but that doesn't make them HEI's. I helped a friend a while back get the HEI out of a early 80's van with a I6 HEI and he droped it in his 66 with no problems. As for your dizzy with the jointed shaft, I've never come across one of those.

Luvlegs · 06-18-2007, 03:28 PM

Aaahhhhh... I see - so is there an advantage to installing what I have? I mean, it has to be better as opposed to points correct?

hyarbour · 06-19-2007, 10:02 AM

As far as I'm concerned; yes. When my friend dropped the HEI in his truck he said it almost doubled his gas mileage, and he wasn't retuning his truck every two weeks anymore.

**truckdude239** · 06-19-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyarbour

If they've got external coils from that period, they're not HEI. Someone might have converted them to electronic, but that doesn't make them HEI's. I helped a friend a while back get the HEI out of a early 80's van with a I6 HEI and he droped it in his 66 with no problems. As for your dizzy with the jointed shaft, I've never come across one of those.

Thats not totaly ture i have seent he with extral coils that where hei units

Luvlegs · 06-28-2007, 09:15 AM

Brining this back to the top as there is a picture that can be referenced and I have two questions. In the 67-76 for sale ads right now, BLAZERMAN has 3 distributors listed. The first one has the "pivot" type lower shaft, the second does not... I have one of each -
Q1 - which should I drop in my I6 (which would be better? and why?)
Q2 - are these wired up the same way as the HEIs? I found the threads on how to do those but not a "plain electronic" distibutor.... If, as someone stated, these aren't considered HEIs... does someone have a write up on installing these?

Thanks all.

06-18-2007, 11:20 AM	#1
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	HEI types question (rigid v. flex ends) I've pulled two HEIs - one was in 68 GMC, the other from a mid 70's nova - both I6's They both look identical, both with the external coils - ONE difference I can see - the one that was in the truck has a "jointed" tail shaft - about 2" above the part that engages the oil pump, there is a pin through the shaft and it can "wobble" a little bit. The other one, off the nova, is solid all the way to the end. The gears look identical, the shaft housings, everything. Just wondering what's the purpose (if any, new technology for the time, etc). At this point, I am considering installing the rigid one as it seems less likely to "break" or have issues - correct? Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks all! __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

06-18-2007, 01:29 PM	#2
hyarbour Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fairview, ks Posts: 203	Re: HEI types question (rigid v. flex ends) If they've got external coils from that period, they're not HEI. Someone might have converted them to electronic, but that doesn't make them HEI's. I helped a friend a while back get the HEI out of a early 80's van with a I6 HEI and he droped it in his 66 with no problems. As for your dizzy with the jointed shaft, I've never come across one of those.

06-18-2007, 03:28 PM	#3
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: HEI types question (rigid v. flex ends) Aaahhhhh... I see - so is there an advantage to installing what I have? I mean, it has to be better as opposed to points correct? __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

06-19-2007, 10:02 AM	#4
hyarbour Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fairview, ks Posts: 203	Re: HEI types question (rigid v. flex ends) As far as I'm concerned; yes. When my friend dropped the HEI in his truck he said it almost doubled his gas mileage, and he wasn't retuning his truck every two weeks anymore.

06-28-2007, 09:15 AM	#6
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: HEI types question (rigid v. flex ends) Brining this back to the top as there is a picture that can be referenced and I have two questions. In the 67-76 for sale ads right now, BLAZERMAN has 3 distributors listed. The first one has the "pivot" type lower shaft, the second does not... I have one of each - Q1 - which should I drop in my I6 (which would be better? and why?) Q2 - are these wired up the same way as the HEIs? I found the threads on how to do those but not a "plain electronic" distibutor.... If, as someone stated, these aren't considered HEIs... does someone have a write up on installing these? Thanks all. __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!



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