HEI Distributor - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DC Thomas · 01-10-2005, 11:32 PM

I am considering adding HEI ignition to my '69 250 six. What is the procedure, and any pointers would be appreciated.

Fred T · 01-11-2005, 12:47 AM

It's a relatively easy change. Remove the spark plugs. Mark on the engine where the #1 position is on the distributor cap and remove the cap. Then turn the engine by hand until the rotor is near the #1 firing position and the timing marks are aligned. Remove the old distributor and drop the HEI in, with the distributor housing and rotor are in the same positions as before. The rotor should be roughly pointing toward the #1 spark plug. Gap the pluge to .045 and install plugs and wires. Firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Run a 12 gauge wire from the unfused ignition on the fuse box to the coil, and you can remove the wire and resistor that fed the old ignition.

GMC70c20 · 01-11-2005, 12:52 AM

I've never put one in a straight six but I put one in my 350 and I would assume that the procedure would be the same.
1)turn engine over so the first cylinder is on tdc on the compression stroke
2)unbolt clamp dist.
3)unhook the power source
4)pull the dist. out of the motor(the dist may be stuck to the block, if so just spray some penatrating oil around the seal surface then let sit over night and try it again)
5)figure out when the dist would be firing on the #1 cylinder then turn the dist. shaft 1 clyinder to the left or right depending on which way the shaft would turn as you drop the dist. in
6)after the dist is in it may not want to sit down against the block just turn the engine over till it falls all the way down(the oil pump shaft may not line up when you first drop it in os you have the spin the shaft till it lines up)
7)you will have to have another power source to run the dist. because it runs off a higher voltage then the points style dist. I just ran a wire through a gromet on the fire wall then pluged it in to the unfused ign. slot on my fuse block
8)hook all the plug wires back up then fire it up
9)shine a timing light on the degree marker then start twisting your dist. when the line cut into the balancer lines up with you desired timing mark tighten the dist. clampand your done
it looks like alot but it only takes at the longest a hour. I put mine in a year ago and havent touched it since.

01-11-2005, 12:47 AM	#2
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	It's a relatively easy change. Remove the spark plugs. Mark on the engine where the #1 position is on the distributor cap and remove the cap. Then turn the engine by hand until the rotor is near the #1 firing position and the timing marks are aligned. Remove the old distributor and drop the HEI in, with the distributor housing and rotor are in the same positions as before. The rotor should be roughly pointing toward the #1 spark plug. Gap the pluge to .045 and install plugs and wires. Firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Run a 12 gauge wire from the unfused ignition on the fuse box to the coil, and you can remove the wire and resistor that fed the old ignition. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

01-10-2005, 11:32 PM	#1
DC Thomas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: central florida Posts: 116	HEI Distributor I am considering adding HEI ignition to my '69 250 six. What is the procedure, and any pointers would be appreciated. __________________ D.C.

01-11-2005, 12:52 AM	#3
GMC70c20 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Iowa Posts: 974	I've never put one in a straight six but I put one in my 350 and I would assume that the procedure would be the same. 1)turn engine over so the first cylinder is on tdc on the compression stroke 2)unbolt clamp dist. 3)unhook the power source 4)pull the dist. out of the motor(the dist may be stuck to the block, if so just spray some penatrating oil around the seal surface then let sit over night and try it again) 5)figure out when the dist would be firing on the #1 cylinder then turn the dist. shaft 1 clyinder to the left or right depending on which way the shaft would turn as you drop the dist. in 6)after the dist is in it may not want to sit down against the block just turn the engine over till it falls all the way down(the oil pump shaft may not line up when you first drop it in os you have the spin the shaft till it lines up) 7)you will have to have another power source to run the dist. because it runs off a higher voltage then the points style dist. I just ran a wire through a gromet on the fire wall then pluged it in to the unfused ign. slot on my fuse block 8)hook all the plug wires back up then fire it up 9)shine a timing light on the degree marker then start twisting your dist. when the line cut into the balancer lines up with you desired timing mark tighten the dist. clampand your done it looks like alot but it only takes at the longest a hour. I put mine in a year ago and havent touched it since.



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