Hi guys, I’ve been searching the forums for info about switching from points to HEI and can’t find the answer to my specific question. I have contacted Dave at Dave’s Small HEI for info about rebuilding mine, but I have also been offered a factory HEI distributor from a 72 455. My question is can I just drop in the 72 distributor and go? Or do I have to do anything to it? Thanks, Rob
Personally I would use the Lectric Limited conversion.. https://www.stage1restoration.com/product/electronic-ignition-conversion-kit-lectric-limited/ 72 Hei requires a 12v power. Different plug wires and you have that big distributor under the hood.
What Dave said. But if you need to run one it will work great (especially if the one you’re considering is complete with wires. Just run a parallel wire for the 12v (bypass the resistor) and stab it in. Patrick
http://v8buick.com/index.php?thread...ystem-function-tests-and-modification.248990/ http://v8buick.com/index.php?threads/power-timing-your-buick-v8.63475/
Thanks everyone, I see that I have some more reading to do. Will I need to recurve the timing on the factory hei? Or will it be correct? What is involved in recurving a distributor?Nevermind, I realized there are two links from Larry and the second is how to set my timing.
It will run fine with its factory curve (presuming it’s not missing bushings) but it will run a lot better (more responsively) with a curve. Be sure to check for total advance though-you don’t want a sloppy tired unit giving you way too much advance. It’s mainly trial and error with weights and bushings-read Larry’s threads. HEI’s are homely and look incorrect for a ‘68; for that reason I’d not do a lot other than weights to it. Put the real time and effort into a correct looking one for the car and keep the HEI (cap, wires and all) as a backup. Patrick
There is no such thing as a factory HEI in 1972. The big cap GM HEI didn't come out until 1974. Distributors had different amounts of mechanical advance built into them. It depends on exactly what year and engine they came out of. They are NOT all the same. Changing the amount of mechanical advance is not easily done. Aftermarket distributors like MSD use color coded advance stop bushings. Dave's small body HEI's are great. He will set the distributor up for you. Most GM Big Cap HEI's have too much mechanical advance built into them. You may be able to change the weight and center piece to alter the amount of mechanical advance. Send Dave or Tom a distributor and let them do it for you.
Thanks, I think I’ll put the money into getting Dave to convert my points distributor into HEI. I’d be looking at almost the same amount of money and I won’t have to fight with anything.
Good move. I have one of Dave's distributors in my engine. I opted for the MSD trigger option. Just plug it into an MSD box. His HEI conversions is great as well.
The Lectric Limited setup is stealth and retains the single distributor wire. It's also designed to work with an OEM (or similar) coil.
The nice thing about a factory HEI is that you can get parts for it anywhere - not so with conversions.
