H.E.I. ignition conversion
#1
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H.E.I. ignition conversion
I have a 69 Impala convertible with a SB 350 that has the old style points and a condenser type of distributor. The engine was replaced with a rebuilt short block engine long before I got the car a few years ago. This engine doesn't seem to have the HP that the original engine would have had, but that is another story. I would like to convert the distributer to a H.E.I. type of distributor, but would also like to retain the original look if possible. I know there are kits to replace the points with a reluctor wheel and pick up coil, but that doesn't give the high energy ignition I would like to have. Sometime in the future I would like to get rid of the smog cam and replace it with something more like the original engine had or even something a little hotter, so what distributor do I look for?
Does anyone have a source for what I am looking for at a reasonable price? If I can't retain the original look, will any SB 350 H.E.I. distributor from my local car yard work or are there certain years I should try to find?
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has wanted to make this upgrade. Thanks for any input.
Harv
Does anyone have a source for what I am looking for at a reasonable price? If I can't retain the original look, will any SB 350 H.E.I. distributor from my local car yard work or are there certain years I should try to find?
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has wanted to make this upgrade. Thanks for any input.
Harv
#2
i think you could use a hei Dustbuster made t fit a 1975 camero small block from mallary or accell ,but be aware that you have to pull a full 12 volts from the ignition switch for starting . some one may have the info on were to pick up the correct terminal on the switch ,i dont know if any one make's a adapter harness for this change over .you might try an outfit called painless wiring Painless Performance
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H.E.I. ignition conversion
Thank you for your reply. I will investigate your recommendation and possibly other recommendations from those who may reply. Does the Dustbuster look anything like the stock distributor? I can fabricate any harness adapter I need if I have the circuitry. Getting 12 volts through the ignition switch for starting shouldn't be a problem. Do I need any special engine information before purchasing an H.E.I. system? I have a lot of time right now to investigate this fully as the car is in storage until sometime in April. Any replies are welcome.
Harv
Harv
#4
i believe the accell distributor look's close to stock i think the mallory has a smaller distributor cap.the harness plug in to the dist is the harder on to come up with you might h ve to rob it from the scrap yard if napa or the part's store's don't have a repair harness end . i think it needs a heavy gauge wire with a ballast resister in the circuit .there are many wiring ideas on the net .
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H.E.I. conversion
I called the local car yard and he has Chevy HEI distributors for $40. Not a bad price, but it won't look original if I go that route. I need to figure out which is better: HEI or original looks. Any thoughts on that? I still need to check out the Accel and Dustbuster units. Thanks for the inputs.
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H.E.I. ignition conversion update
I decided to get the H.E.I. distributor from the local car yard. It is a good tight one with no side play and it came from a 79 El Camino with a 350 in it. Since they removed it, I did not get a chance to see where the two wires come from that plug into the distributor cap. I assume one of them is a 12v + supply when the ignition switch is on and the other probably is a ground, but I don't know if that is correct and if so, which is which. I think I will have to tie the wire from the ignition switch's cranking position and the run position together and eliminate the ballast resistor so it can have the full +12 volts when the switch is in the on or cranking position. Can anyone help me here? Thanks.
Harv
Harv
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No ground wire needed. 12v with key on to the positive terminal, no resistor and your ready to go. The other wire may have been for tachometer signal.
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H.E.I. ignition conversion
Sounds easy enough Richard. Thank you for the reply. If it only takes one wire from a 12 v. source when the key is in the on position, how does the coil get 12 v when cranking (so it can fire up) or do I also need to run another wire from the solenoid to the +12 v terminal on the coil?
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H.E.I. ignition conversion
P.S. What gauge wire should be used to power the cable? A 10 gauge wire as some suggest, seems to be a bit of an overkill.