The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay dumb quest # _ _ _ _ about MINI HEI Distributers

Because I am not familiar w/ all the different inline L6 motors, I ask:
Tom Langdon lists his mini distributer for use in: >>> Chevy 216, 235, 261, and GMC inc. new cap, sq. coil and rotor.
Fred Lorio's new tech article on ''Building your own Mini Dist'' is limited on information as to what it will work in/on. Specific dImensions, i.d. / o.d. shafts, lengths, and pretty general on details, just cause some of us are more detail and photo orientated.
I'm glad someone wrote about doing this, but more questions arise.

Mini's are for generally pre 1962 motors? what makes the mini ''only'' for early motors?
I have a 292 in my 3104. Is it possible that these will fit/work in 230, 250, 292 motors ??? later post 1962 motors??
If there is a reason. what? why?
Is the depth of the dist hole in later engines different ??
longer/deeper??
I have a standard HEI that I have not installed yet, but like the mini size.


:confused:

I don't know if you would call it a "mini" but I have a small HEI dist. with remote coil setting in mt 250 L6. Manufactured by Mallory. Installed to 1. get my A/C compressor lower, and @. dress up my engine.

Think the "mini" in Mini-HEI is differentiating it from the larger bodied HEI distributors that are most commonly seen in the later model engines. It looks like a STOCK 235 distributor but minus the points.

The Mini-HEI for 235 engines is a small bodied HEI that is used in early S-10's (2.8's) that has been fitted with the correct length/diameter shaft, and internals to mate up with the cam and oil pump.

I've seen some data on modifying a 250 large bodied HEI, grind a little here and there, put a clamp here, adjust this till.....

I'm sure it has been done, but I know there is a whole lot more to getting it right, than luck. If you've ever had to replace a cam because the dist. drive gear was chewed up, or lost the whole shooting match because the oil pump drive shaft was out of alignment and snapped, you'll know what I mean.

Some things are best left to those who know what they're doing. If you really feel that the HEI is going to improve performance in a 235 I'd spend the money for one matched to that engine.
That's my story...and I'm sticking to it!!!

Dave

Put Langdon's mini HEI in my 261 during the rebuild. Went in cleanly, no problems, engine fired right up.

your 292 will accept any gm hei out of a late model (194,230,250,292) six cylinder. bolt in swap! for 235 they grind off the mounting flange and use a split lock collar (bearing house can supply this) to position it correctly in the block. check the tech archives.

Caroline's Truck,
I'm sorry if I didn't go into enough detail for you on the "mini-HEI" tech tip. I approached it more from a common sense approach and I figured anyone who could run a lathe could probably read a digital caliper. If you copy the dimensions of your old distributor and you use the same drive gear it is going to work no matter which engine you put it in.
That "tech tip" wasn't meant for everyone since you need access to a lathe to perform it. I think a machinist would consider that modification child's play.
Good luck on your project,
Fred Lorio