HEI issues

[dammitmitchell]

hey all..
so here's the backround before the issue

started as;
83 4x4 with a 305 with electronic spark control

NOW has a 350 (with the same distrubitor)

ive always had issues keeping good spark

but now after finishing my project i went to start it and i got it to run for 10 seconds...
and NOW i have NO spark......
coil tested bad.. replaced coil.. replaced card (in distro)
still no spark...

sooo it leads me to believe it's the ECM because everythign is testing out correctly...



so i ordered the "correct" distro a new billet HEI without the plug for the ECM
with vaccum advance

now my concern is when that electronic spark control remains disconnected what will be effected by that? do i have to worry about gauges etc not working?


i know i dont need it to run the 350 (plus it's builtup so screw emissions)
but im worried abou the internals...
any wiring i have to change/worry about? anything going to not work?
or does that stupid little brain box effect anything else in the truck at all?


thanks!

[Jonboy]

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/escrepl.htm

Try that.

[68 TT]

Are you still running the CCC Q-Jet?

[68 TT]

I don't think any of the gauges in the 83 were controlled through the ECM so removing it should not effect anything other than maybe EGR or canister purge.

[cjracing15]

This is what I have done in the past. I rebuilt my dist with 1978 parts from the part store. All you have to do is remove the dizzy disasamble and replace the pick up coil and the module. Discontinue the esc plug and just put the original wires for the coil back on. It will work fine and it is about the same money for both coil and moduel for the earlier model as what you are going to pay for the esc module alone. I have done a bunch of them for myself and freinds alike.

But since you have already ordered a new hei all you have to do is unplug the esc and install the new dist. Plug the vac advance and set the timing. You will be much happier in my opinon.

[Desert1957]

I need more info on your truck...

I will tell you I owned a 1983 Chevy G20 Van with this setup. It started having issues with "No starts" . I just installed an earlier stock style HEI with a vacum advance.

But FYI my 305 did NOT have an O2 sensor or a feedback Carb w/ solenoid.
If your engine has a full "Computer Comand Control" setup it will not be the same swap. If you are unsure what I'm talking about , PM me so I can discuss more details....

Desert

[dammitmitchell]

hey gents
well i was away from the internet all day involuntarily so i got out the books and chased the wires, the only two wires that left the "brain" and ontacted anything else was the positive that plugged into the HEI with the fuzeable link.
and a blue wire that goes to the firewall fuze block.
and i have not a clue what the blue wire does

well it's "pigtailed" and out of the way ive allready made a plug for the gaping hole in my firewall now

and the motor im running is
350 bored .40 over with a noticibly large cam
highrise spacerplate and 670 holley..
heads have been reworked etc...

so stock qjet hells NO.. =-)

thanks for the input gents..

[cjracing15]

With that motor and carb drop that dizzy in there and fire it up and drive it.

[dammitmitchell]

sweet i also found the blue wire swwweeeeettt..

problem solved thanks guys!