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Looking into an HEI tach drive conversion. One vendor says you supply 12 volts to the distributor, another says 13.7 volts.
I wrenched on HEI's almost exclusively in the 80's, and I remember only running a keyed 12v to the distributor.
Is this really the same thing, just running voltage vs static voltage?
I've always ran the keyed +12 voltage to supply the distributor. That is what's required. You get your 13.7 volts (to everything) when the alternator is charging.
Look at your fuse box.
You have an unused space marked IGN that's where you get power for the HEI.
And make sure to use a 12ga wire.......a common mistake is to use a smaller gauge and it will get hot and eventually damage the wire. It draws a fair amount of constant current.
Nope, I would take it straight from the key if possible (ignition switch or ignition switch side of the ballast resistor or comb connector on the steering column). Reason: all switched power goes through the ignition switch. There are many consumers of switched power and having as close to a dedicated line as possible is a good thing.
On a related note, the distributors I’m looking at have hardened steel gears. My motor has a flat tappet hydraulic cam. Won’t that distributor gear eat the cam gear?
is there an intermediate gear between hardened steel and bronze that I should be looking to swap on there?
On a related note, the distributors I’m looking at have hardened steel gears. My motor has a flat tappet hydraulic cam. Won’t that distributor gear eat the cam gear?
is there an intermediate gear between hardened steel and bronze that I should be looking to swap on there?