The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
9 - 11 Memorials

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
3 members (Bill Hanlon, klhansen, 1 invisible), 51 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics128,024
Posts1,055,395
Members48,422
Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Brad Allen's photos

AD Chevy Trucks

Pictures galore
Over 6,000 pictures

Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips.

Check them out!

Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!

Big Thanks!

THANKS!

For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for

over 30 years!

and not clogged down
with Ads!


Again, thanks!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#1163904 05/05/2016 5:07 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 56
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 56
Hey all,

Just finished a successful 12v conversion on my '52 3100 including what I felt was a much needed upgrade to an HEI distributor and coil pack from TSP. Looking forward to some increase reliability!

What I am stumped on is the timing. Where should the timing with an HEI be set on the 216? I have spent a ton of time reading many different opinions and "facts" but I figured when dealing with stovebolts its always best to go to the one who love their trucks as much as I do and not random "expert".

Any one have some real world experience with this? Also any input on plug gap you are using would be great as well. Thinking .045 is about right.

All the best!


Last edited by Matties; 05/05/2016 5:09 AM.
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,596
4
'Bolter
'Bolter
4 Offline
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,596
What did you have it set at without the HEI?


1946 GMC Pickup - S-10 Frame, 455 Buick, TH400, original patina.

My 46 GMC on Photobucket
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,597
W
Riding in the Passing Lane
Riding in the Passing Lane
W Offline
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,597
You set the timing to the same specks as the old point dist. In creasing the plug gap to .045 is good.

Last edited by Wrenchbender Ret.; 05/06/2016 8:47 PM. Reason: Plug gap not point gap

They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing.
1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne Super
In the Gallery Forum
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
Hi I have a 250 with a HEI and set timming to around 18 advanced. I know It scared me, yet it worked


Julian Carter

1970 Triumph GT6
1967 Triumph TR4A
1952 Chevy 3600
1948 MG-TC
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
Sorry Don't remember the gap it was huge also. I'll look around for my info.


Julian Carter

1970 Triumph GT6
1967 Triumph TR4A
1952 Chevy 3600
1948 MG-TC
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357


Julian Carter

1970 Triumph GT6
1967 Triumph TR4A
1952 Chevy 3600
1948 MG-TC
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,194
J
'Bolter
'Bolter
J Offline
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,194
Since the fuel one uses has a lot to do with how the engines run, set your timing where the points unit was to start out. Drive it some and see how it acts, and then start advancing it a few degrees at a time. You are looking for the spot where it just starts to ping/knock under a load. Find a long hill and make several trips up it in the highest gear it will pull and still keep a decent speed. If the ping goes away under full throttle and cruise rpm, this is where you leave the timing, assuming it starts without kick back. My 250 is 8 to 10 degrees advanced over factory settings, I haven't checked it for years so I don't remember just where its set.

Joe

Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 385
W
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
W Offline
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 385
When you get the HEI unit from Tom L he indicates a .064 gap should be used with champion rj14yc plugs. Timing is a strange thing for me. I cant seem to ever hear a knock after advancing it it over and over.

Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,194
J
'Bolter
'Bolter
J Offline
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,194
You may not hear it with decent fuel and cool weather. The engine is pretty low on compression anyway, so go a few degrees over and drive it awhile to see how the mileage is.

Joe


Moderated by  Fibonachu, KCMongo 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0