1974 corvette 454 HEI Conversion
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
1974 corvette 454 HEI Conversion
I am in the process of a complete rebuild on my 74 454 4 speed convertible. With that in mind my old distributor was worn out. I am looking to upgrade to a HEI with the new engine build.
Does any one have recommendations for HEI distributor with mechanical tach to install?
Will i need to run a new wire for the new distributor?
any input welcome
thanks
Does any one have recommendations for HEI distributor with mechanical tach to install?
Will i need to run a new wire for the new distributor?
any input welcome
thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 14
From: A town SC
Run the old power feed minus the ceramic resistor. I would run a complete DUI distributor. Run you around 300.00 from Summit Racing. On an afterthought might want to cal DUI (Davis unified ignition) to see if they offer a tach drive housing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
There is no ceramic resistor on your 74, a resistor wire connects to the coil positive.
Most HEI distributors need a new wire installed.
One place to run the new wire is from the ING terminal in the fuse box.
Most HEI distributors need a new wire installed.
One place to run the new wire is from the ING terminal in the fuse box.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 14
From: A town SC
I stand corrected. I would say original wire would be good,if the resistor is removed, but if not I believe I would feed a new wire from the run side of the starter sylinoid (spelling?). Some points of power is interupted during starting. Just my opinion and their like fleas on a dog, more than can be counted.
Last edited by forvicjr; Mar 20, 2016 at 10:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Depending upon the mileage on your distributor, it certainly wouldn't hurt to go through it and check the condition of the upper and lower bushings as well as the distributor main shaft. Many of the vendors carry all of the parts you need to rebuild the original distributor to like new condition. This would allow you to retain all of your original shielding if you're so inclined and even upgrade your ignition to a modern solid state ignition such as the Pertronix Ignitor kit.
If you aren't comfortable in doing this on your own some of the vendors, such as Paragon Corvette Reproductions will refurbish your distributor as well as upgrade it to an electronic ignition, such as the Pertronix.
Good luck... GUSTO
If you aren't comfortable in doing this on your own some of the vendors, such as Paragon Corvette Reproductions will refurbish your distributor as well as upgrade it to an electronic ignition, such as the Pertronix.
Good luck... GUSTO
Last edited by GUSTO14; Mar 21, 2016 at 09:47 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I am in the process of a complete rebuild on my 74 454 4 speed convertible. With that in mind my old distributor was worn out. I am looking to upgrade to a HEI with the new engine build.
Does any one have recommendations for HEI distributor with mechanical tach to install?
Will i need to run a new wire for the new distributor?
any input welcome
thanks
Does any one have recommendations for HEI distributor with mechanical tach to install?
Will i need to run a new wire for the new distributor?
any input welcome
thanks
Apparently you can also get it off of Amazon and Ebay is also selling HEI's with tach drive for even less. I'm not at all familiar with their quality however.
Keep in mind, you will have difficulty with air cleaner clearance and it will not fit under your original distributor shielding.
Good luck... GUSTO
Last edited by GUSTO14; Mar 21, 2016 at 02:47 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
Hi guys,
I could start a new thread but I feel it might be apropos to revive this old discussion.
I, too, have a 74 454 4-speed. I'm looking at a new distributor, and have a friend who strongly suggested an HEI. I'm looking to get up to speed on the pros and cons, and available options, of each. Perusing a few threads, it looks like there are a LOT of options, not always clear, with a LOT of different suppliers, and a LOT of different opinions! So I'm trying to boil it down to some basic choices before just buying anything.
The tach quit in this car, for an as of yet undiagnosed reason. This may come into play as to what I choose, and whether an electronic tach conversion might be warranted.
Info and recommendations for this particular setup are appreciated.
I could start a new thread but I feel it might be apropos to revive this old discussion.
I, too, have a 74 454 4-speed. I'm looking at a new distributor, and have a friend who strongly suggested an HEI. I'm looking to get up to speed on the pros and cons, and available options, of each. Perusing a few threads, it looks like there are a LOT of options, not always clear, with a LOT of different suppliers, and a LOT of different opinions! So I'm trying to boil it down to some basic choices before just buying anything.
The tach quit in this car, for an as of yet undiagnosed reason. This may come into play as to what I choose, and whether an electronic tach conversion might be warranted.
Info and recommendations for this particular setup are appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
X2 on keeping your original points distributor and have it rebuilt . I have had 2 points distributors rebuilt by advanceddistributors.com located in Shakopee, Mn. and Jeff did a great job on them. Check out his website!! You can always install a electronic widget but Jeff will not install them, points only.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
Unless you're some sort of purist I would recommend going with an electric tach. I did it about 15 years ago and it has been great. AND I already had the MSD-8572 tach-drive distributor with a box. I have now locked out that distributor and use it with EFI but it needs and MSD box to operate. You have a lot of options nowadays for distributors, and you can even get a tach converter from the vendors to keep your original faceplate. Here is one of the options:
HEI DISTRIBUTOR
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...ch-drive-75-82
ELEC TACH CONVERSION KIT:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/53-74-e...yABEgIPivD_BwE
HEI DISTRIBUTOR
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...ch-drive-75-82
ELEC TACH CONVERSION KIT:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/53-74-e...yABEgIPivD_BwE
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
Unless you're some sort of purist I would recommend going with an electric tach. I did it about 15 years ago and it has been great. AND I already had the MSD-8572 tach-drive distributor with a box. I have now locked out that distributor and use it with EFI but it needs and MSD box to operate. You have a lot of options nowadays for distributors, and you can even get a tach converter from the vendors to keep your original faceplate. Here is one of the options:
HEI DISTRIBUTOR
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...ch-drive-75-82
ELEC TACH CONVERSION KIT:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/53-74-e...yABEgIPivD_BwE
HEI DISTRIBUTOR
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...ch-drive-75-82
ELEC TACH CONVERSION KIT:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/53-74-e...yABEgIPivD_BwE
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
Thanks for the info. Looking for something to go in a 74, though. Also I'm curious, some of these larger units look like they might have a problem fitting. Has anyone run into that issue?
I'm also wondering what's in the original 74. I guess I can pull it out and see but easier, sometimes, to just research on the computer.
I'm also wondering what's in the original 74. I guess I can pull it out and see but easier, sometimes, to just research on the computer.