HEI distrib question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Inside every color vette there is a blue one trying to come out!
HEI distrib question
Right now I don't know what model of HEI distributor I have, it was already on the 350 eng. but it is not the correct one to allow my mechcanical tach to work. Can an HEI distrib be fitted with something for a mech tach drive or will I have to hunt for an HEI with tach drive all in one unit?
[Modified by Skruball73, 11:33 AM 1/16/2002]
[Modified by Skruball73, 11:33 AM 1/16/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,080
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From: Exiled Tampa Bay Misfit
Re: HEI distrib question (Skruball73)
Check this thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=216057
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=216057
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
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Re: HEI distrib question (Skruball73)
You have a couple of choices, first buy an electric tach from a 75 or 76, and put it in your dash. This might be the cheapest alternative since you already have an HEI. I bought on off E-Bay for $75.00. The next thing would be to get a mechanical tach with tach drive and go back to point ignition. I know that Lars (distributor expert par excellance) loves point ignition, I'm more of an electronic ignition sort of guy. If you buy mechanical tach. you have a couple of options you can replace the points with a Mallory Uni-lite electronic ignition or Pertronix Electronic ignition, or send the distributor to a specialist and have it converted to HEI.
http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/ does the conversion
General Motors Corvette FI and/or tach drive
This conversion is remote module mount only, and does not permanently alter the distributor.
Full HEI conversion — $175.00
Or you can buy an HEI tach drive distributor for about $450-550, from Summit or Jegs (I haven't looked for the exact price, but it is in that range.)
http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/ does the conversion
General Motors Corvette FI and/or tach drive
This conversion is remote module mount only, and does not permanently alter the distributor.
Full HEI conversion — $175.00
Or you can buy an HEI tach drive distributor for about $450-550, from Summit or Jegs (I haven't looked for the exact price, but it is in that range.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
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Re: HEI distrib question (Chris A)
Chris,
I wish you hadn't asked that, it has been a while. Seems like there are 3 terminals on the back of the tach, one is 12V, one ground and one tach signal from the coil or distributor. Make sure you use a tach filter to cut down on the jumping around of the tach.
The problem is that I can't remember which terminal is which, Zwede provided me with the pinout several months ago, and I have sense slept!
Sorry.
I wish you hadn't asked that, it has been a while. Seems like there are 3 terminals on the back of the tach, one is 12V, one ground and one tach signal from the coil or distributor. Make sure you use a tach filter to cut down on the jumping around of the tach.
The problem is that I can't remember which terminal is which, Zwede provided me with the pinout several months ago, and I have sense slept!
Sorry.
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 386
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From: Niedernhausen, Germany
Re: HEI distrib question (Smokehouse69)
There is a HEI-Distributor with mechanical tach (e.g. available from PAW9 - but it is over 400$. Was lucky on my car: The preowner spent the bucks for me.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,051
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From: Inside every color vette there is a blue one trying to come out!
Re: HEI distrib question (Skruball73)
Thanx for the info...one other question...could anybody take a fair stab at guestimating how likely it might be to find a used HEI dist. with mech tach drive from say like a used vette parts dealer or something instead of having to purchase one outright from mail order and major dealers?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
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From: Roxbury NJ
Re: HEI distrib question (Skruball73)
Thanx for the info...one other question...could anybody take a fair stab at guestimating how likely it might be to find a used HEI dist. with mech tach drive from say like a used vette parts dealer or something instead of having to purchase one outright from mail order and major dealers?
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5
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From: IOLA TEXAS
Re: HEI distrib question (Chris A)
These are the tach electrical connections. Looking at the back of the tach there are 3 spade terminals. Two on top and one below. Top left is "pos+", top right is "neg-" and the bottom connector goes to the "dist" terminal on the HEI distributor cap.
