This is a fairly easy conversion. Buffalo Enterprises (see Chevytrucks
vendor links) does it for about $55 on your HEI core. Or Stovebolt has them
already modified for I think $125. Dimensions are the same for Chevy or GMC
inlines. $25 is a decent price for a core. Be sure the shaft bushings aren't
worn out, some 6 cyl HEI's had this problem, which resulted from inaccurate
machining of the block mounting surface.
Advantages of the HEI are: no points to set, super hot spark to the plugs,
full mechanical and vacuum advance, and if you ever need to replace the
module or vacuum can, you can get one anywhere. Accel, MSD etc offer a
myriad of fancy accessories for the HEI, as it came standard on so many
small block V8's over the years.
The round collar is ground off the shaft, and the end tang is modified to
make full contact with the oil pump. They also groove the shaft for a
O-ring, to prevent oil seeping out around the shaft, and provide a new
hold-down clamp. Nothing is changed internally in the distributor. A new
primary wire from the switch (10 ga) is the only other change.
The only negative on the HEI is that it looks like it came off a John Deere,
especially the integral coil versions (there is also a model that uses a
separate coil which can be mounted anywhere). And if you want to use one of
those fancy finned alloy pushrod covers, the HEI won't fit without grinding.
But it fits fine with the stock tin cover.
I've had an HEI in my GMC for about 4 years without ever removing the
distributor cap. It replaced a Mallory Unilite, which looked cool but having
no vacuum advance didn't perform worth a crap.
Jack / Winter Park FL
----- Original Message -----
From: Antonio R. Tijerino <antonio@innercite.com>
To: Ole Trucks <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 1999 2:22 AM
Subject: [oletrucks] HEI Conversion
> Hi Oletruckers,
>
> I went to a local car show last week and I saw a 1939 Chevrolet coupe.
> This car had a really neat engine compartment. The engine was a later
> 235. It had the following modifications. Dual split fenton headers, 4
> barrel aluminum water heated intake manifold with a 4 barrel carb of
> some kind, the water heated manifold was plumbed the following way: A
> water hose line from a "T" adapter from the Thermostat housing 3/4
> inches outlet to one side of the manifold and another "T" connector from
> the temperature sensor on top side of the head to other side of the
> manifold.
> It also had a arge HEI distributor with the coil on cap cap. I was not
> able to find the owner to ask questions, but I kept on wandering where
> the HEI distributor came from. Yesterday I had a chance to browse around
> the local pick'n'pull, the closest that I saw was a 1975 Chevy Nova with
> a 250 6 cyl engine, I proceeded to remove the distributor and noticed
> that the shaft and gear are very similar to the distributor shaft and
> gears of the 235 stock distributor. They want $24.95 for the complete
> setup, I did not get it because they are having a 50% sale this weekend
> and I also noticed that someone had already removed the electronic
> module from inside. I am going back this weekend to get one from another
> car or get this one if has not been take yet. All 250cid 6 Cyl Novas had
> this HEI from 1975 to 1979.
> To make a long story short, Has anyone out here done this modification?
> How much work or machining is involved?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Antonio,
> '53 3100
>
> 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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