Where did the HEI come from- - - -a salvage yard, or Ebay? A lot of the brand new repops from across the Pacific are only good for fishing weights. There's absolutely no reason a good-working HEI can't be timed and tuned as well as or better than a point-type distributor.
A Mexican-made 292 is most likely from the late 1980's or newer. "Mr. Goodwrench" engines were new replacements sold by GM parts departments priced to be competitive with reman engines from private rebuilders. BTW, virtually any good parts store would be able to order a "crankshaft kit" consisting of a reground crank and bearings. Damage like a bent snout on the crank would have generated a core charge, but I'm pretty sure I can order a dozen 292 crank kits before tomorrow afternoon.
Jerry
