What HEI Ignition to get?

[kev2809]

whats the benefits of having one of these over the stock ones? i need to get a new distributor because mine is all rusted up on the 67 suburban i just bought. not sure if i should get the stock one or the hei?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by msgross

I bought the back ones labeled "support" from the truck shop catalog.. They hold all four wires.

Thanks

[tnblazerk5]

i am so glad that skip is in town and only bout 7 miles from here

[magsnubby]

I just used a stock Chevy HEI with a Summit coil and Accel wires.

[tekno62]

I just picked yo 2. Im hoping one will work on my 307. for $45 bucks you cant go wrong.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-B...mZ270361047712

[spinning wheels]

Originally Posted by kev2809

whats the benefits of having one of these over the stock ones? i need to get a new distributor because mine is all rusted up on the 67 suburban i just bought. not sure if i should get the stock one or the hei?

For one thing... No more points to worry about, so your truck stays in tune better and for a longer period of time.
A much hotter spark than a stock setup.

It's basically an ignition upgrade. The first HEIs GM installed were in 74/75. They were a response to meeting tougher emissions brought on by the EPA.
In stock form, they aren't much of a hi-performance item, but can be easily upgraded. That is, if your motor demands it.

You could upgrade your stock distributor, but you mentioned a rust problem.
That and some of the old stuff is just worn out.
One other option is using a Petronix or a Compu fire module in your small cap stock distributor. But that rust issue, kinda makes me think a new distirbutor is the way to go.

[kev2809]

well since this motor is getting swapped later i think i might just get an original one in there. seems easier than to replace the points and weights or whatever all those rusted parts are.

[Sinister]

Originally Posted by kev2809

well since this motor is getting swapped later i think i might just get an original one in there. seems easier than to replace the points and weights or whatever all those rusted parts are.

I'm guessing for the price of a new points distributor you can pick up a Skip White HEI off of fleabay. HEI is a great upgrade.

[Daves72'GMC]

I bought a rebuilt stock GM Hei from Napa.

[SOUTHERN917]

I just replaced points dist. with the Skip White over the weekend....." Holy power boost Batman!!" Made a huge improvement in takeoff power and idle. I also opened spark plug gap to .045, and used 74 vette wires. Would highly recommend this upgrade, and Skip White product.

[kev2809]

hey dave what motor and year you get it for?

[decodan]

Hey,
Will the HEI fit in place of the stock distributor on a 1970 Suburban K10. Or do you have to get the small cap HEI with external coil. I want to do this upgrade but do want to have a fitment problem, especially when turning the distributor when timing engine.

Has anyone put the BIG cap HEI in a '70 Burb 4x4 ???

Thanks,
Dan

[msgross]

Originally Posted by decodan

Hey,
Will the HEI fit in place of the stock distributor on a 1970 Suburban K10. Or do you have to get the small cap HEI with external coil. I want to do this upgrade but do want to have a fitment problem, especially when turning the distributor when timing engine.

Has anyone put the BIG cap HEI in a '70 Burb 4x4 ???

Thanks,
Dan

I would get the original looking black cap from skip white. The one's with a coil covering over the wires (similar to accel or mallory) are a tight fit on my 68 K-10. The black cap original type fit with about 1/4" to spare..

[kev2809]

I bought the red cap and I have tons of room, but mine is a 1/2 ton 2wd suburban so not sure if u have the same amount of room

[tekno62]

I just did this to my 72 C10 350/350 - there was tons of room for me. I had to bent the oil pressure line a little but its made to do that. the stock air filter still fit.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by kev2809

I bought the red cap and I have tons of room, but mine is a 1/2 ton 2wd suburban so not sure if u have the same amount of room

4WD trucks have the engine set back about 2-3" though...

[mclairmo]

Originally Posted by Moose67

Thanks for the link. I also ordered one. Has anyone used his mini starters and 1-wire altenators ? Seems to have really good prices on most of his items.

I've got a red Procomp mini starter like Skip White sells and it works fine. I also have had two one wire alternators and they are ok, except you have to rev up the engine to get the self exciting internal regulator to turn on and start charging. Personally, if you have a stock alternator, I would stick with that set up or maybe go with the GM 3 wire internal regulated alternator.

[decodan]

Thanks, I only have room for maybe a finger between the firewall and cap with the stock points distributor. So unless someone with a 70 4x4 has used the BIG cap HEI with no problems I am thinking that maybe I should go with the small cap HEI and an external coil. Anyone with a 70 Burb 4x4 ???
Dan

[kev2809]

ah I didn't know that I could measure from my cap to the firewall when I get home to maybe give u an idea of close it would be..I have some pics too if I can find them

[tim21391]

i bought accel distributor with accel wires and ac delco plugs with the accel coil pack with msd cap and rotor for about $250

[tim21391]

i bought accel distributor with accel wires and ac delco plugs with the accel coil pack with msd cap and rotor for about $250.. if u go to the parts store say u need hei conversion kit for a 75 chevy or something thats what i did

[jorgensensc]

I can tell you that the Skip White Hei (red cap standard size) fits in a '72 2wd 3/4 ton Big Block Suburban with a little room to spare. It sure seems like it would fit in a 4x4, even with the motor set back a little.
Shawn

[decodan]

Hey,
I went to the parts store and measured the HEI and the cap is right at 6" in diameter. I will pull the cap on mine tomorrow and measure that and also see what the distance from the center of the rotor to the firewall is. I will let you all know.
Thanks, Dan

[decodan]

OK, here's the deal.
On a 1970 4x4 Suburban you cannot use the standard BIG cap HEI. Measurement from firewall to center of distributor is about 2-3/8 inches. So maximum diameter distributor you can use is about 5 inches. That means you have to use the small cap HEI or convert to Petronix or something.

Thanks to everyone for the info and help.
Dan

[eric67m]

I have put skip whites in two different trucks now. I called them directly both times. They are nice and you dont have to order online thu pay pal. I was also ordering straight universal plugs and crimpers when I got mine. I have purchaced both the standard black and the accell red styles. They are cheaper than getting a ignition module, cap and rotor.