My 57 GMC V8 came from the factory with a Pontiac 347 engine. The Pontiac V8
used the same physical distributor from 55 through 81 when Pontiac started
using corporate GM engines. For $15 I pulled an HEI distributor from a 77
model 400" Pontiac in a junk yard and dropped it into my truck with no
mechanical changes. HEI needs 12 volts and therefore should not be connected
through the ballast resistor found in most 12 volt points based systems.
A company named Pertronics makes an electronics "points replacement" module
that mounts inside your stock distributor. Used in combination with a higher
performance coil it would come close to providing the spark that an HEI does.
I don't know if your truck is 12V nor if the Pertronics unit will run on 6V.
There are a few companies that modify late model 6 cylinder HEI units for use
in older Chevy 6 cylinder engines. I believe this involves a little machine
work on the bottom of the distributor. I know that Tom Langdon sells these at
http://www.stoveboltengineco.com/catalog/38-7281.htm
-----Original Message-----
From: tim [mailto:lloydt@Colorado.EDU]
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 11:20 AM
To: Ole Truckers
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Bah-humbug
On Monday, June 23, 2003, at 08:30 am, Hanlon, Bill (ISS Houston)
wrote:
> HEI? Well it puts out about twice the spark that the original points
> type distributor did. Lets you run wider gaps on your plugs.
> Increases gas mileage. Starts on the first turn of the key. Unlike
> points, does not deteriorate over time, changing timing and increasing
> resistance (therefore decreasing spark voltage). But, when it quits
> it really quits! Nada! Zip! Kaput!
Bill,
I have been thinking about HEI for my '54 pickup off and on for a
little while now (while I'm not concerned with other issues like a
broken U-joint or rust in my fuel system), so I have just a couple of
questions for you:
How easy is HEI to install? Does it replace the distributor, or just
the points? Does it need any extra equipment, or is it a direct swap?
Who sells HEI, and for how much?
Thanks,
Tim Lloyd, lloydt@colorado.edu
1954 Chevy 3100 Pickup "Peanut"
1954 Chevy 3100 Panel "Being paid for"
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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