The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Correct HEI ??

'Morn All,
Looking to get rid of points ign and replace w/HEI on my sb350 (pretty stock -mild cam)in my '51.
I'm thinking of ordering this one but would appreciate someone's opinion as to whether or not this is the correct unit for my application.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-...34?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories

Thanks

Oh, it's a '71 block if that makes a diff
does 65kv present a problem - too hot??

That'll fit into your SBC OK, just make sure you have enough clearance to the firewall so that you can slot in the bigger HEI unit.

Use bigger plug gaps with the HEI .040"-.050". Also I believe that GM recommended resistor style spark plugs with HEIs, although some people don't fit them and the system still seems to work.

Stuart.

Seem to remember something about how many wires the hei unit has (module maybe) but can't rememberwhat was what.
Anybody know?

The early type HEI like the one in the ebay listing you linked to has two connections only; +12V and Tacho.

As well as these connections on the cap, the later "computer" type HEI has a multi plug from the module which goes to the engine management unit. These HEIs don't have the vacuum can which is clearly visible in the ebay photo.

Stuart.

Definetly go with the skip white HEI. Awesome deal. Super delivery time too!! Likely 3 or 4 days for you.
Don't forget to run a 10 or 12 gauge wire from a hot while key is on location too. Hei needs a full 12 volts to run. No resistor wires.

Thanks for the confirmation gang.
just wanted to make sure before placeing order - returns are less than fun.

No more matchbooks for me!

Wish I had seen that before buying mine, Looks like a great deal. You might note if it doesn't fit you might have totake the gear off the bottom and replace it with your old one. I did.

OK ya got my attention.
why do you think you had problems with the gear and had to put your old gear on the new dist???

Dad has one of the new HEI's for a Pontiac. Its a nice piece and works great, but there are some differences from the stock ones. The shaft is bigger diameter so stock gears won't fit, and something was different inside, but I can't remember what he told me. Its nothing to worry about, they had to change something to get around GM's legal department.
His never missed a beat up to 6500 rpm on our distributor machine, it might even go higher, but thats the max rpm the old machine runs.

Joe

Because it wouldn't drop in all the way. Missed by about3/8 inch. You could visibly see the new one was different.

sounds like the oil pump wasn't lined up properly.
anybody else experience this. never heard of the drive gears being different (how so?).

Thanks for the heads-up!

Only diffy would be what the gear is made of. There were bronze ones IIRC for use on roller cams I think. Memory a bit fuzzy!!
I've never seen or had a problem with fitment.

Bump the starter a bit or turn the engine by hand it will drop down when the slots line up.

Hey Crash, all I know was the gears were different When I went thru auto shop a million of years ago the instructor used to take the distributor out of a engine and then spin the engine over to see if we could get it right. SO I have been there and done that.

Well, just ordered one. Guess I'll find out in a few days.
Thanks for the comments and advice,gang.
Tom

bought it
installed it
much better than before
easier start for sure. runs stronger as well.
priced the accel wires that come with and that alone makes the deal worth it.

box said adj vac adv - even came w/ allen wrench but dosen't feel like the allen wrench enguages into anything in the port.
how easy does the adjuster turn w/ the allen wrench? - no
resistance? some? ??

Little worried about the seller though. glad there were no porbs.
email is ubdeliverable, 1-877 number no good. Hummm...

Since the vacuum is only 14 to 20 inches, the screw is probalbly pretty easy to turn.

Joe

thanks
i'll have to tinker with it more this weekend.

Can you feel the Allen wrench making its way into the adjuster? It's probably pretty deep into the chamber, about midway, where the diaphragm would be. The function of the adjuster will be to limit the total travel of the advance unit to set how much vacuum advance you get. The only time there would be much resistance to turning would be when the travel is bottomed out, engine running and vacuum applied. At that point, the adjuster won't be accessible because the vacuum line will be attached.

Try checking the advance with a delay-flash timing light at 2,000 RPM with the advance disconnected, then connected. The difference in timing will be how much the vacuum advance moves. Adjust it up or down for best performance and fuel economy. Most vacuum chambers advance the timing 8-10 degrees at light-throttle cruise. Don't exceed about 40-42 degrees total advance with initial, centrifugal, and vacuum all maxed out.
Jerry

lincoln
thanks for the specs
don't know why i couldnt feel the engaugement while distributor was out but can now.
crane cams also has instructions with their adj vacc adv unit.
i'll be 'dialing it in' this weekend.
thanks