Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lts70 · 11-10-2012, 01:02 PM

I am having distributor problem again with my junk yard GM distributor. I want to buy one of those skip white complete distributors. I have a warmed up 327 with a nv3500 behind it. What distributer model should I get?

cdowns · 11-10-2012, 01:27 PM

lots of fans of the cheap skippy chineesey stuff// i prefer higher quality american stuff myself

**VetteVet** · 11-10-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lts70

I am having distributor problem again with my junk yard GM distributor. I want to buy one of those skip white complete distributors. I have a warmed up 327 with a nv3500 behind it. What distributer model should I get?

What problems are you having? Here is a breakdown and repair of the HEI distributor. With lots of good info.

...........http://www.rustpuppy.org/ignition2/Ignition%202b.htm

lts70 · 11-10-2012, 05:34 PM

My truck randomly cuts out completely. If I let it sit for awhile it will start back up. Sometimes it starts back up and runs fine for awhile and sometimes it dies right away and needs to sit for awhile again. At first I thought it was fuel delivery so I changed my filters and fuel pump and cleaned my carb. Still didn't help.

I noticed that if I kept on pumping the throttle after it cut out that once it fired back up it would backfire loud from igniting the raw fuel that had been running through the system. So I am pretty sure it is loosing spark. I went and bought an excel cap and rotor from NAPA but when I went to put it on this morning I saw that it was a tan color cap (not a big fan of how it would look with my all black, red, and chrome under hood color scheme) So I figured why not just return the parts and get my money back and then swap out the entire distributor for not much more money.

What do you guys think?

Shyguy · 11-10-2012, 07:32 PM

Sounds like the ignition module is bad, many auto parts stores can check it if you take it in. Many of us carry an extra one in the glove compartment.

Daves70 · 11-11-2012, 11:47 AM

Like Shyguy said It's likely your module. Also make sure you are not using your original resisted feed for the distributor. An HEI needs a solid 12volt feed to work properly.

Shyguy · 11-11-2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daves70

Like Shyguy said It's likely your module. Also make sure you are not using your original resisted feed for the distributor. An HEI needs a solid 12volt feed to work properly.

Good point.

lts70 · 11-11-2012, 01:51 PM

So I checked. Even with my discount (work at NAPA on the weekends) An new Ignition module will cost me $26.16 (Echlin Part # TP47). and the cap and rotor kit $22.65 (Balkamp 735-5276)

I just wonder if I should get this for basically the same price and have an all new unit.

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/...px?Item=6500-R

**Boog** · 11-11-2012, 02:12 PM

You used to be able to buy a GM HEI unit from the parts stores for around $100. That may have been a reman'd unit, I don't remember. I bought one of these 6500 Skip Whites last year for my 69 but haven't installed it yet. I thought for that price it was worth trying it. Looks cool too.

**leddzepp** · 11-11-2012, 02:50 PM

I have used several Skip White dizzies. Yes they are cheap, but I have never had an issue with one. Drop in and go. You can't beat the price.

lts70 · 11-11-2012, 03:06 PM

Thanks Leddzep I am going to go that route.

Is the one I have posted above the one I want?

Anyone have a promo code to save some cash from there website?

**leddzepp** · 11-11-2012, 03:11 PM

I bought mine a long time ago off of ebay. The cap does not look like that, so I do not know.

lts70 · 11-12-2012, 03:19 PM

Ordered it this morning. I will let everyone know how it goes.

**mr48chev** · 11-12-2012, 06:07 PM

I've had mine from Skip White in the truck for a couple of years and think it needs a tune up now but it has been reliable on my daily.

If you are replacing modules use the good Napa or a genuine Delco as the low buck ones don't seem to hold up that well.

On the acting up part of the ignition, check the wires on the pickup coil. I've seen them break where they connect to the pickup coil and only be held on by the plastic cover of the wire. They would make contact at times for the engine to fire and then loose contact when the advance plate moved.

Also the HEI needs a real HEI wire connector to connect the wire from the ignition switch to the distributor. While a regular female slide wire end will work they tend to loosen up after a while and loose contact while driving down the road. I fought that one when I installed the HEI in my 71 GMC. Drive down the road and have the truck cut out or quit and then get out and fiddle with the wire and connector and get in and go again until it acted up again.

**mr48chev** · 11-13-2012, 12:39 PM

I drove my truck to town after posting the post above and the module died when I restarted the truck after stopping at the local mini mart. I don't blame the module it's self but i should be replacing the whole secondary side of the ignition from rotor out real soon as the cap and rotor show that they need replacing and the wires and plugs are due.

The pins that hold the advance weights looked good and that has been a concern on aftermarket distributors. The good thing is that all the parts are a direct interchange with factory parts so after I figured out what was wrong I got it running fairly quickly.

BBGMC · 11-13-2012, 01:30 PM

I had the Same Exact Problem On my 70' GMC Your Pick Up Coil in the distributor has a small crack in it, when it heats up the crack spreads after cooling down it returns to its normal size and closes the gap enough for your truck to start, took me 4 months to figure that out on mine. I have a MSD Street Fire in my 1968 and it works like a champ.

**kwmech** · 11-13-2012, 03:36 PM

www.performancedistributors.com

dropanddrag71 · 11-13-2012, 05:26 PM

I had alot of problems with cheap distributors from unknown places. I went to summit and bought an MSD streetfire HEI, cost about 132 bucks complete. I know MSD is good and i also know Summit will stand behind everything they sell. You save the receipt or write the part number down and down the road you can order replacement parts.. cant do that with bargin, unknown internet specials. (Most sell 2nds and blems anyway)
Installed it about 3 weels ago, now starts and runs mint!!

BBGMC · 11-14-2012, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropanddrag71

I had alot of problems with cheap distributors from unknown places. I went to summit and bought an MSD streetfire HEI, cost about 132 bucks complete. I know MSD is good and i also know Summit will stand behind everything they sell. You save the receipt or write the part number down and down the road you can order replacement parts.. cant do that with bargin, unknown internet specials. (Most sell 2nds and blems anyway)
Installed it about 3 weels ago, now starts and runs mint!!

I second this I Just Bought an MSD Street Fire also last week and She Purrs real Nice also I also Bought the 8MM Street Fire Wires to match

lts70 · 11-19-2012, 12:24 AM

Got the new Skip White HEI installed. Works and looks great.

11-10-2012, 01:02 PM	#1
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White I am having distributor problem again with my junk yard GM distributor. I want to buy one of those skip white complete distributors. I have a warmed up 327 with a nv3500 behind it. What distributer model should I get? __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

11-10-2012, 01:27 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White lots of fans of the cheap skippy chineesey stuff// i prefer higher quality american stuff myself __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-10-2012, 05:34 PM	#4
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White My truck randomly cuts out completely. If I let it sit for awhile it will start back up. Sometimes it starts back up and runs fine for awhile and sometimes it dies right away and needs to sit for awhile again. At first I thought it was fuel delivery so I changed my filters and fuel pump and cleaned my carb. Still didn't help. I noticed that if I kept on pumping the throttle after it cut out that once it fired back up it would backfire loud from igniting the raw fuel that had been running through the system. So I am pretty sure it is loosing spark. I went and bought an excel cap and rotor from NAPA but when I went to put it on this morning I saw that it was a tan color cap (not a big fan of how it would look with my all black, red, and chrome under hood color scheme) So I figured why not just return the parts and get my money back and then swap out the entire distributor for not much more money. What do you guys think? __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

11-10-2012, 07:32 PM	#5
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White Sounds like the ignition module is bad, many auto parts stores can check it if you take it in. Many of us carry an extra one in the glove compartment. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

11-11-2012, 11:47 AM	#6
Daves70 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mt Brydges Ontario Posts: 181	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White Like Shyguy said It's likely your module. Also make sure you are not using your original resisted feed for the distributor. An HEI needs a solid 12volt feed to work properly.

11-11-2012, 01:51 PM	#8
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White So I checked. Even with my discount (work at NAPA on the weekends) An new Ignition module will cost me $26.16 (Echlin Part # TP47). and the cap and rotor kit $22.65 (Balkamp 735-5276) I just wonder if I should get this for basically the same price and have an all new unit. http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/...px?Item=6500-R __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

11-11-2012, 02:12 PM	#9
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,367	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White You used to be able to buy a GM HEI unit from the parts stores for around $100. That may have been a reman'd unit, I don't remember. I bought one of these 6500 Skip Whites last year for my 69 but haven't installed it yet. I thought for that price it was worth trying it. Looks cool too. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

11-11-2012, 02:50 PM	#10
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,009	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White I have used several Skip White dizzies. Yes they are cheap, but I have never had an issue with one. Drop in and go. You can't beat the price. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

11-11-2012, 03:06 PM	#11
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White Thanks Leddzep I am going to go that route. Is the one I have posted above the one I want? Anyone have a promo code to save some cash from there website? __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

11-11-2012, 03:11 PM	#12
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,009	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White I bought mine a long time ago off of ebay. The cap does not look like that, so I do not know. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

11-12-2012, 03:19 PM	#13
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White Ordered it this morning. I will let everyone know how it goes. __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

11-12-2012, 06:07 PM	#14
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,575	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White I've had mine from Skip White in the truck for a couple of years and think it needs a tune up now but it has been reliable on my daily. If you are replacing modules use the good Napa or a genuine Delco as the low buck ones don't seem to hold up that well. On the acting up part of the ignition, check the wires on the pickup coil. I've seen them break where they connect to the pickup coil and only be held on by the plastic cover of the wire. They would make contact at times for the engine to fire and then loose contact when the advance plate moved. Also the HEI needs a real HEI wire connector to connect the wire from the ignition switch to the distributor. While a regular female slide wire end will work they tend to loosen up after a while and loose contact while driving down the road. I fought that one when I installed the HEI in my 71 GMC. Drive down the road and have the truck cut out or quit and then get out and fiddle with the wire and connector and get in and go again until it acted up again.

11-13-2012, 12:39 PM	#15
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,575	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White I drove my truck to town after posting the post above and the module died when I restarted the truck after stopping at the local mini mart. I don't blame the module it's self but i should be replacing the whole secondary side of the ignition from rotor out real soon as the cap and rotor show that they need replacing and the wires and plugs are due. The pins that hold the advance weights looked good and that has been a concern on aftermarket distributors. The good thing is that all the parts are a direct interchange with factory parts so after I figured out what was wrong I got it running fairly quickly.

11-13-2012, 01:30 PM	#16
BBGMC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 49	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White I had the Same Exact Problem On my 70' GMC Your Pick Up Coil in the distributor has a small crack in it, when it heats up the crack spreads after cooling down it returns to its normal size and closes the gap enough for your truck to start, took me 4 months to figure that out on mine. I have a MSD Street Fire in my 1968 and it works like a champ. __________________ Last edited by BBGMC; 11-13-2012 at 01:45 PM.

11-13-2012, 03:36 PM	#17
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,572	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White www.performancedistributors.com



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11-13-2012, 05:26 PM	#18
dropanddrag71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central florida Posts: 178	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White I had alot of problems with cheap distributors from unknown places. I went to summit and bought an MSD streetfire HEI, cost about 132 bucks complete. I know MSD is good and i also know Summit will stand behind everything they sell. You save the receipt or write the part number down and down the road you can order replacement parts.. cant do that with bargin, unknown internet specials. (Most sell 2nds and blems anyway) Installed it about 3 weels ago, now starts and runs mint!! __________________ " You are only coming threw in waves,... Your lips move, but i can't hear what your saying"

11-19-2012, 12:24 AM	#20
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	Re: Need New HEI Distributor thinking Skip White Got the new Skip White HEI installed. Works and looks great. Attached Images __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

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