The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Newbie with a couple question

First I would like to say thanks for the add. I just purchased a 1952 GMC with a 228 and 3 speed. The truck is in good shape as with anything that is 68 years old it need some attention. The 228 looks stock has a 1 barrel Rochester carburetor that needs a kit or a replacement. My questions concerns the distributor. I would like to change the distributor over to a HEI type ignition. I have read where the distributor from a chevy 292 and other chevy distributor might fit with a few modification. I'm looking for some insight into these modification, which if any distributor to use? I have tried to do the search on Stovebolt and Google and don't seem to find the answer. If this is in the wrong section of the forum let me know.

No. You can modify a Chevy 250/292 HEI Dizzy to work but it is best to find an original. The GMC truck is in itself a rare beast. However you can still find 228 & 248 industrial engines in older towns and country. I called an old Cracker friend that used a 228 for a saw mill but he said it was long ago sent to salvage. I think a 248 will fit. DOC

There are several sellers on EBay that have GM style HEI distributors for I-6 engines. They use the GM components so parts are readily available.🛠

HEI distributors all work on 12v negative ground, if stock your GMC is 6v positive ground.

Lookat this. . They are good about phone calls .

Thanks Doc. My 228 is in good shape. Oil pressure and compression is good. Ive look at modiifing the oringanl. It feels like there may be a little slop in the shaft. I will no more when I take it out, as soon as I get time.

Thanks Doc. My 228 is in good shape. Oil pressure and compression is good. Ive look at modiifing the oringanl. It feels like there may be a little slop in the shaft. I will no more when I take it out, as soon as I get time.


It's been converted to a 12 volt system

Thanks I will look

I will check them out thanks

That is what I'm running. as stated needs 12 neg ground.
Plug wires for a F**d 300 six with electronic ignition work great.
Running A/C delco #7 platinum plugs.

BC59, I found a shop that has quite a few AC non-resistor plugs (43 thru 47's), I bought a few sets for my 54-235. I heard that non-resistor plugs were out lawed due to all the cars in the late 50's and 60's because they interfered with NASA radio signals. Is this urban fable? Or are non resistor AC plugs still available? Ed

BC59, You mentioned that a 52 GMC had positive ground. My MGA has positve ground, can it be reversed? An old friend has a near mint 52 1/2 ton covered up in a barn since 1961. He is retired now and is inclined to sell. He hoped it would be a retirement project but, he and his wife bought a big motor home and plan on selling the farm. When it comes to the point where I start it should I disconnect the 6 volt battery in my 54 if the new battery in the GMC runs low? Or just leave my engine off an reverse jumper cable? Full of questions Ed

BC59, You mentioned that a 52 GMC had positive ground. My MGA has positve ground, can it be reversed? An old friend has a near mint 52 1/2 ton covered up in a barn since 1961. He is retired now and is inclined to sell. He hoped it would be a retirement project but, he and his wife bought a big motor home and plan on selling the farm. When it comes to the point where I start it should I disconnect the 6 volt battery in my 54 if the new battery in the GMC runs low? Or can I just reverse jumper and keep my engine off? Full of questions Ed

Changing from positive ground to negative ground will have some implications. You probably will have to get a new coil...one oriented differently. The positive ground coil will have the windings going in different directions in all likelihood. I've been also told the voltage regulator could need to be changed, but I'm not positive about that. Other than those two things, offhand I'm not certain the electrons will care much.

As for non-resistor plugs, you can use those only if you wear a hat made of tinfoil at all times. You should also sleep in it. Then the radio waves at NASA will be ok. Seriously, non-resistor plugs are still made. Last I looked, they were costly. As I recall, resistor plugs were simply a better match for radios at first (since at that time nearly all vehicles came with them) and later they were more friendly to ECUs and other vehicle electronics. You need to understand non-resistor plugs set up a very high degree of interference (electromagnetic interference) and will play havoc with other vehicle electronic devices.

There is a Stovebolt Tech Tip on converting to 12 volt that also contains instructions for changing from positive ground to negative ground. Good read.🛠