I'm considering installing a later model HEI distributor in my 1969 Skylark 350/4. Has anyone done this who could give me some hints, like which years fit, how is it done, etc?
Welcome to the board Doug, It is a good idea to use HEI, just keep in mid that HEI was introduced on smog engines so to get max performance you must recurve the mechanical advance. Please read through Larrys Power timing thread, it covers it all. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=63475 Good luck. :TU: Christian
HEI distrubutor is the same for big block & small block Buick. The difference is the drive gear & the advance curve.
Big thing is getting correct wire to power the HEI; points use resistor wire to drop voltage to keep from burning up points. Also there is little room for timing adjustment with original intake manifold, among other things... DEFINITELY read and head the power tuning tips mentione in link in previous post.
i was having alot of trouble with my points distributor on my 72 skylark 350...was able to pick up an hei from a junkyard for 50 bucks...it was out of an 75 elektra...worked fine
Have you considered using Pertronix or something similar? I removed a big cap HEI unit from my 72 and went back to a small cap original style distributor and I had JW install a Crane electronic kit and recurve it. Ive been very pleased. Now you might ask why I removed the big cap HEI, well with the snokles on the GS models, who ever put in the HEI, cut the bottom of the drivers side snorkle to make it fit as the distributor cap sits higher. In addition, they changed to a rubber fuel line.. maybe the steel one would not fit around the cap of the HEI distributor. I restored the snorkles and I put a steel line back on when I put the original style distributor back in.
