How do I hook this Distributor Up?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 5
From: Frisco TX
How do I hook this Distributor Up?
I bought one of these from Speed City Motors (Corvette Forum Vendor).
http://speedcitymotors.com/product_i...roducts_id=503
It's going in my '74 replacing my points system. The only thing that cam in the box was the distributor (as can be seen on the website picture) and air. Nothing else. Do I need another part to make this work. I've seen on some of your cars that have an aftermarket distributor and have noticed a square box that is usually mounted to the firewall and hooked up to the distributor. Do I need one of these to make this thing work. If not, there's a plug in on the left side of the distributor. You can see it in the picture. It's next to another plug in with wires running into it. What in the cornbread hell do I plug into this thing? Do I need another part? Also, what do I do with my old coil?
http://speedcitymotors.com/product_i...roducts_id=503
It's going in my '74 replacing my points system. The only thing that cam in the box was the distributor (as can be seen on the website picture) and air. Nothing else. Do I need another part to make this work. I've seen on some of your cars that have an aftermarket distributor and have noticed a square box that is usually mounted to the firewall and hooked up to the distributor. Do I need one of these to make this thing work. If not, there's a plug in on the left side of the distributor. You can see it in the picture. It's next to another plug in with wires running into it. What in the cornbread hell do I plug into this thing? Do I need another part? Also, what do I do with my old coil?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria Va
From the product picture and description it appears to be a standard HEI conversion setup.
"Keep your 1962-74 Corvette's original factory mechanical tachometer AND move up to high-energy ignition system"
"Easy one-wire hook-up". A one wire hook up is the key note.
I recently changed my 74 distributor to an HEI. It was easy and the car ran better. check out the link below.
http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/hei.htm
"Keep your 1962-74 Corvette's original factory mechanical tachometer AND move up to high-energy ignition system"
"Easy one-wire hook-up". A one wire hook up is the key note.
I recently changed my 74 distributor to an HEI. It was easy and the car ran better. check out the link below.
http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/hei.htm
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria Va
Oh yeah, the square box you mentioned is probably an MSD spark box or similar item. I had one on my 74 but removed it when I changed to an HEI distributor. The key to a one wire hook up is that you need provide a continuous 12 volts going to the HEI distributor which plugs into the side as you described. Your previous power supply wire going to your old distributor did not have this so you need to run a new lead from the fuse box or find an existing continuous 12 volt source. If you don't run a continuous 12 volts then the car will start then die when you release the starter. This is an easy install.
Lastly, with an HEI you no longer need your coil.
Lastly, with an HEI you no longer need your coil.
Last edited by The3; Jan 10, 2008 at 07:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 5
From: Frisco TX
Oh yeah, the square box you mentioned is probably an MSD spark box or similar item. I had one on my 74 but removed it when I changed to an HEI distributor. The key to a one wire hook up is that you need provide a continuous 12 volts going to the HEI distributor. Your previous power supply wire going to your old distributor did not have this so you need to run a new lead from the fuse box or find an existing 12 volt continuous source. If you don't run continuous 12 volts then the car will start then die when you release the starter. This is an easy install.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria Va
Yes, all you need is a one wire, continuous 12 volts, that hooks up to the side of the HEI distributor. I'll be back with a picture. Standby please.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria Va
The connector you see is only a temporary set up used to start the vehicle. You can order a connector from Ecklers.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...1&dept_id=1780
Last edited by The3; Jan 10, 2008 at 08:21 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
The best couple of hundred you spent in a long time. And every internal part is stock aftermarket parts. Available every where at local parts stores. There may be others out there at a higher price but they do not perform any better then what you just installed. ...
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria Va
Make sure you install the new distributor with the rotor pointing in the same direction of your old rotor position. If you don't get this right you will have a simple timing problem. A lot of first time installers make this simple mistake. It's also a good idea to recheck your timing after the install. There are a lot of threads on basic timing procedures.
Remember that you no longer need your old coil. Remove it and keep it for old times sake.
Let us kow how things work out and feel free to ask follow up questions.
Good luck. Semper Fi.
I originally posted a link to LAR's timing paper but deleted it because it was for non-HEI.
Remember that you no longer need your old coil. Remove it and keep it for old times sake.
Let us kow how things work out and feel free to ask follow up questions.
Good luck. Semper Fi.
I originally posted a link to LAR's timing paper but deleted it because it was for non-HEI.
