Distributor hold down on opposite side?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 3
From: Metairie LA
Distributor hold down on opposite side?
Still working on my LT1 converted intake. It looks like it would be easier to put the dist hold down on the drivers side. The normal spot has a structural "rib" on the bottom side that I would have to drill and tap. Was fooling around and moved it to the drivers side - no structure on the underside and I won't even need to use another bolt to provide a pivot point.
But the V8 chevy has never had it on that side - is there a reason?
But the V8 chevy has never had it on that side - is there a reason?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Thats usually where the wires/plug from the distributor hang down, the line from the brake booster, are. You could still get to it Im sure if you use a dist wrench. Double check on that one though..
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
I would asume the reason is getting to the bolt.
I have taken a junk wrench here and there and applied heat and hammered into a desired shape. Something about the right tool for the job. That said, are you going to do the water port mods? Can you even get a wrench in there after this?
It looks really tight on the drivers side with the plenum right there.
This guys has some sort of plate.
I dont understand
"I won't even need to use another bolt to provide a pivot point."
Like this has a bolt offset so when tight it pinches down on the dist?
I have taken a junk wrench here and there and applied heat and hammered into a desired shape. Something about the right tool for the job. That said, are you going to do the water port mods? Can you even get a wrench in there after this?
It looks really tight on the drivers side with the plenum right there.
This guys has some sort of plate.
I dont understand
"I won't even need to use another bolt to provide a pivot point."
Like this has a bolt offset so when tight it pinches down on the dist?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 3
From: Metairie LA
With the dist shim in place there is about a 1/2" gap between the narrow end of the clamp and the manifold - hence the need for a raised pivot point.
Due to the tilt of the dist - if I go on the drivers side the narrow end of the clamp rests on the manifold - hence no raised pivot point needed.
I am going with the small cap HEI so I can put the wires anywhere and I almost completely removed the EGR boss. The vacuum ports on the LT1 are more toward the middle of the manifold so I don't think there will be anything in the way.
I was just wondering since I have never seen one on the drivers side. Maybe some GM engineer figured out that it was a terrible mistake to put it on that side and it created a fatal flaw or was it just more convenient. I have a dist wrench - most folks wonder what that bent up wrench is for - LOL.
Ill post pics in a second.
Due to the tilt of the dist - if I go on the drivers side the narrow end of the clamp rests on the manifold - hence no raised pivot point needed.
I am going with the small cap HEI so I can put the wires anywhere and I almost completely removed the EGR boss. The vacuum ports on the LT1 are more toward the middle of the manifold so I don't think there will be anything in the way.
I was just wondering since I have never seen one on the drivers side. Maybe some GM engineer figured out that it was a terrible mistake to put it on that side and it created a fatal flaw or was it just more convenient. I have a dist wrench - most folks wonder what that bent up wrench is for - LOL.
Ill post pics in a second.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 3
From: Metairie LA
Here you go.
Clamp on Passenger Side:
Clamp on Drivers Side:
With the clamp on the Drivers Side, the fingers are parallel to the dist collar - no need to raise the pivot point.
Do like the idea of the cut off wrench with the hold down bolt threaded in the mouth - Really. That is one less hole to drill and tap (with the way I was envisioning it).
Getting ready to post up another interesting question about this conversion - will start another thread though.
Clamp on Passenger Side:
Clamp on Drivers Side:
With the clamp on the Drivers Side, the fingers are parallel to the dist collar - no need to raise the pivot point.
Do like the idea of the cut off wrench with the hold down bolt threaded in the mouth - Really. That is one less hole to drill and tap (with the way I was envisioning it).
Getting ready to post up another interesting question about this conversion - will start another thread though.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7501/?rtype=10
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 3
From: Metairie LA
Thanks everybody for the input. I think that I may go on the drivers side - just wanted to make sure there was no mechanical or other reason for the placement.
Also wonder if there has ever been one that works more like a bicycle seat clamp. It would positively clamp the dist in place. It would probably be a PITA to put on.
Also wonder if there has ever been one that works more like a bicycle seat clamp. It would positively clamp the dist in place. It would probably be a PITA to put on.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Kantuk Valley
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
not unusual for HEI users to, after some use (esp high engine speeds), find spark timing 'retarded' with no apparent cause...using TWO hold-downs seems to stop the move, 'theory' is 'magnetic drag' of the HEI pick-up is enuf to overcome one oem clamp.
'plate' in the pic actually has three possible positions for clamps but can only fit two oem clamps...note small water outlets at front of manifold that stop 'radiator puke' after engine op, in addition to larger rear outlets (those 'fugly' elbows on the rear outlets flow more water than any prettier ones tested)
'plate' in the pic actually has three possible positions for clamps but can only fit two oem clamps...note small water outlets at front of manifold that stop 'radiator puke' after engine op, in addition to larger rear outlets (those 'fugly' elbows on the rear outlets flow more water than any prettier ones tested)
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 3
From: Metairie LA
I just saw in another thread about the small outlets on the front. Where do you pipe them to? Then I thought about being able to purge air from the system at these points also (they should be the highest point).
Again, everyone, thanks for all the info.
Again, everyone, thanks for all the info.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
suspect you're dead on with purge thinks...air and maybe steam, too...small added water flow probly a good also...'theory' aside, this did stop the intermittent loss of coolant that a local 16 was embarrassed by when shutting down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
not unusual for HEI users to, after some use (esp high engine speeds), find spark timing 'retarded' with no apparent cause...using TWO hold-downs seems to stop the move, 'theory' is 'magnetic drag' of the HEI pick-up is enuf to overcome one oem clamp.
Dave