Who Has A 'Dave's Small-body HEI' in a Non-MSD Application?

Where did you mount the HEI unit and do you have any pictures to share?

Thanks!

 

Marco-

Why not do Dave's full HEI conversion? The module is mounted under the distributor. You really have to look for it to see it. Very stealth. :TU:

 

Look here.

 

Hi Ken -

Dave told me (earlier this afternoon) that on Buicks, for the full HEI treatment (non-MSD trigger), the stuff which he usually puts under the distributor (not under the cap, but under the unit) will not fit due to the clearance with the timing cover.

The HEI electronics need to be 'externally' mounted elsewhere.

Maybe under the dash, but I don't want wires all over the place in my engine compartment. Gotta keep things neat, ya know :Brow:

I'm wondering where people have mounted the HEI unit on the Buicks.

He's sending me pictures tonight. I'll post them here.

Thanks!

 

Marco-

Maybe I'm just thick today...

My set-up is exactly like the one in the link I posted. It has the MSD trigger under the cap and the HEI module as shown mounted under the distributor body. I have no clearance issues. As far as additional wiring, you only need to have a full 12 volts at the coil, rather than the reduced voltage with the factory inline resistor. You also need a good coil. I believe Dave is still recommending the NAPA IC-12 (by memory).

Good Luck!

 

Placement

I ran mine over to the inner fender, with about four or five feet of wire. Bolted it up on the backside and It's practically invisible. Then just Zip-tied the wires up the coolant hose and over to the core support, can be made very steathy and not that much work!

 

Hey Ken -

Did you buy yours from Dave?

I wonder why he's telling me it will not work? o No:

 

Marco-

Yep, got it from Dave.

 

Re: Placement

Thanks Jake!

Then I guess Dave told you the same thing about the clearance issue?

Any pictures you can share?

:TU:

 

Jake-

What do you have mounted behind the inner fender? An MSD box (6A,6AL, etc)? I think this is where Jim Weise mounts those boxes for stealth.

 

Box?

Ken,
There is no box it just has wires running from Dist to the HEI, and back to the coil.

Marco,
Will run over to the shop this afternoon and will grab picts then.

 

Thanks!

Ok -

I just spoke with Dave again. Basically, Buick used two types of big block distributors. One type the HEI electronics fit under, and the one type it doesn't. It will not work on a 350 distributor, period.

He told me as a rule of thumb, he tells everyone in Buick land to mount it externally. He's sending me additional pictures to identify the two types, and we'll go from there. I really want this to be some type of self-contained unit...

 

I have a 72 Skylark with a moderately modified 350, I have an MSD 6A box from a past Buick and I intend on using it on this car. I have purchased a used HEI distributor with the 4 pin module. I will convert it to use with the MSD6A, is this a good choice or should I convert my current point to HEI, or buy an MSD distributor??
The car will be for cruising and an occasional romp at the track!
Thanks
Tim

 

pic 1

Pic of wires to and from HEI

 

Pic 2

Wires to HEI--bolted to inside of fender

 

Hmmm.... i thought the 455 and the 350 distributor were the same except for tooth count on the drive gear??? o No:

 

Hey guys -

Jake - thanks for the pictures. I appreciate it!

With regard to the difference in BB/SB distributors, maybe it's a difference in the block casting/timing cover clearance, not the distributor, which doesn't make it possible to mount the HEI on the bottom? It's also my understanding that with the exception of the gear and springs (effecting degrees of advance), the BB/SB distributors are the same.

Larry - as always, thanks for your wisdom and I agree with you. Here's my take - if the HEI doesn't fit under the distributor, I'm keeping the pertronix unit. I'm not going to run any additional wires in my engine compartment. Ken Lisk has one, Dan Healey has one, I wonder why it will not work on my car? Maybe I need a '71 distributor for this to work?

I'm still waiting for the pictures to determine the differences between the 2 BBB distributors - I'll post them when I get them.

Thanks everyone :TU:

:beer

 

When I went through this, Dave sent me pics which made it pretty clear. Buick used two different castings of dist. housings. One works, one doesn't for direct mounted HEIs. There is a bit of clearence issue though, but it involves the hold down bolt. I just barely, barely get my dist. wrench in, because the HEI is mounted right above the bolt. It took me over an hour to tighten it. When I did a tune up a couple months back, I solved this by buying a crows foot open wrench. Fit great. I was able to loosen and tighten the bolt w/o effort.

 

Thanks Zach!

Here's a picture that Dave sent me, of the differences in the Buick distributor castings. The one on the left needs an externally mounted HEI unit.