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New distributor

Old Oct 2, 2024 | 11:01 PM
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Default New distributor

I need a distributor for my 81..going to a HEI set up. Question is what about the tach ? Everything will be stock except the engine. What wiring do I need?
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Old Oct 2, 2024 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Mikey1958
I need a distributor for my 81..going to a HEI set up. Question is what about the tach ? Everything will be stock except the engine. What wiring do I need?
it already has an HEI stock although it might be some form is electronically controller version stock in 81 not sure.
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Old Oct 2, 2024 | 11:10 PM
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This car was a stalled project...I feel like i got a great deal in it...its jyst that everything under the hood is missing except the engine and radiator..I am not certain they are good yet..but i needca distributor just to start it
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Old Oct 2, 2024 | 11:18 PM
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This car was a stalled project...I feel like i got a great deal in it...its jyst that everything under the hood is missing except the engine and radiator..I am not certain they are good yet..but i need a distributor just to start it..
The car hasn't been delivered yet but I have a good Idea of what I need ... EVERYTHING..lol
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Old Oct 2, 2024 | 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Mikey1958
I need a distributor for my 81..going to a HEI set up. Question is what about the tach ? Everything will be stock except the engine. What wiring do I need?
The car came with a HEI distributor from the factory. All HEI distributors should have a TACH connection next to the BAT connection. The original wires should still be in the car that plug into the distributor.
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Old Oct 2, 2024 | 11:41 PM
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Thanks all I can do is hope...since the original intake and carb are still there maybe this won't be all that bad,. I think I am going to be.rebuilding a small block..But that's part of the fun ...right?
​​​​​​
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 05:07 AM
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Absolutely, and perhaps learning a fair bit as you go!
lots of fun in that!
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 07:21 AM
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Can you post a photo? It should be immediately obvious what engine is there.

The best distributor is no distributor.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 08:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
Can you post a photo? It should be immediately obvious what engine is there.

The best distributor is no distributor.
I know your looking for an LS but its likely a SBC... Still a good point. A photo would help verify what generation it is.

Last edited by augiedoggy; Oct 3, 2024 at 08:18 AM.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Mikey1958
This car was a stalled project...I feel like i got a great deal in it...its jyst that everything under the hood is missing except the engine and radiator..I am not certain they are good yet..but i need a distributor just to start it..
The car hasn't been delivered yet but I have a good Idea of what I need ... EVERYTHING..lol
I see you have started multiple threads about the same thing and at times responded twice with almost the same response in a couple threads. Just you you are aware if your kinda new to forums, you have an "edit" button in the lower right of your responses once you submit them you can click it and edit or add to a comment you already made. You dont need to type out the same response multiple times. Also, again just for future knowledge, someone may have already mentioned its frowned upon to start multiple threads asking the same thing. It makes things confusing for people. Again im just trying to be helpful here not trying to give you a hard time or anything.

You can see if the engine in the car is original to the car by comparing the number on the stamp pad which is front of the front end of the passenger head. some of the numbers on it will match the cars vin if its the 350 that came from the factory with it.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by augiedoggy
I know your looking for an LS but its likely a SBC... Still a good point. A photo would help verify what generation it is.
An LS would be ideal. Perhaps the OP will get lucky and find a ZZ4 or similar. I have the perfect dist in that case (ZZ4 take-off, recurved, shimmed, with an adjustable vac can). Anything will be better than an L81, especially if it has the original carb, which requires the CCC ECU to work properly.

Photos always help! They help weed out the AI replies, too. Anyone buying a car from the internet will still have the listing photos to post.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 10:26 AM
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I will put pictures up when I figure out how..
I had to ship.it and it hasn't arrived yet..I want to get as many parts as I can coming in or here so when it does arrive it's all hands on deck ...As for a LS or zz both are great ideas but they sre way out of my budget.right now...
But I really do appreciate any help.i can get

Last edited by Mikey1958; Oct 3, 2024 at 10:29 AM. Reason: Add on
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Mikey1958
I will put pictures up when I get the car.
I had to ship.it and it hasn't arrived yet..I want to get as many parts as I can coming in or here so when it does arrive it's all hands on deck ...As for a LS or zz that's way out of my budget.right now...
But I really do appreciate any help.i can get
Did you buy it based on a description only? You must have some photos, even if they dont show the engine.

A junkyard LS swap can cost less than rebuilding your original engine, but what 'Im really hoping for you is that someone has already done a swap. A ZZ4 would put you miles ahead.

How do you know it has the original carb, without photos?
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Mikey1958
Thanks all I can do is hope...since the original intake and carb are still there maybe this won't be all that bad,. I think I am going to be.rebuilding a small block..But that's part of the fun ...right?
​​​​​​
You need to know that 1981 used a computer controlled carburetor and distributor. You cannt use the original carburetor it you don't have the original distributor.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 11:41 AM
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Well dang..this thing does have a dist in it..my glasses do work after all



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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 12:15 PM
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Thanks!

Looks like a carb from a 1979 Corvette or earlier (NON-electric choke, no other electronics, that I see). It could be any random Q-Jet, but it is certainly not original. Check the numbers when you get it to confirm.

That is a pre-HEI points distributor, and does not have a coil (or spark plug wires). So, yes, you need an HEI dist, and a bunch of other stuff.

You are missing all accessories, pulleys, and brackets on that engine. It does have a radiator, though. It is a 77 or later engine, judging by the engine stamp pad shape. Please post the numbers/codes when you get it!

That would make a great LS/TKX swap candidate. Good luck with it!

Lots of useful codes can be found at this site:
https://corvettec3.ca/

Last edited by Bikespace; Oct 3, 2024 at 12:27 PM.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 12:34 PM
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FWIW, this is what the original intake looks like:
https://store.tracyvette.com/item/2315/

Not sure what's on your car, other than a lot of fresh, blue paint.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
FWIW, this is what the original intake looks like:
https://store.tracyvette.com/item/2315/

Not sure what's on your car, other than a lot of fresh, blue paint.
That paint is also known as a Craigslist rebuild..
It was recently installed going by not only the paint but shiny new manifold bolts..

Your missing a wiper motor too.
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Old Oct 4, 2024 | 08:02 AM
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On a budget, the points distributor will work fine. Much easier to recurve, better vac can selection too. Tach has no signal but it would run.
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Old Oct 4, 2024 | 09:27 AM
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Default Dist

I bought a new rpm intake for her and am ordering the HEI dist and carb this week end. I know it needs a lot of pieces and parts but I expected that when I first saw the pictures...But for 3k it's still a pretty nice car
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