Help converting from points to HEI
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 762
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, CA
Car: 1987 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 305TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Help converting from points to HEI
Hey there,
I'm having aproblem with my HEI distributor. I just checked the BAT terminal on the distributor with the engine running and got 7.0 volts. I know it should be over 12, upwards of 12.4...
How should I wire this so that I can get a full 12 volts to the distributor? At this point I can't go WOT and I want to do some smokey burnouts..
Thanks,
Colin
I'm having aproblem with my HEI distributor. I just checked the BAT terminal on the distributor with the engine running and got 7.0 volts. I know it should be over 12, upwards of 12.4...
How should I wire this so that I can get a full 12 volts to the distributor? At this point I can't go WOT and I want to do some smokey burnouts..
Thanks,
Colin
#3
Engine running, it's not a real valid test. The coil is constantly "pulsing" on and off as it charges and discharges and a typical Voltmeter can't keep up so it gives you effectively an "average" voltage.
That being said..... what year of car are we talking? If it's an older (~1974 or older) car that originally came with a points distributor then you need to rip out or bypass the old resistor wire to the coil (usually pink with while "resistor" lettering and a braided looking covering) and replace with a decent sized (12ga or better) standard copper wire to a good ignition-on power source. If it's a modern car you might want to trace it back and make sure it's not pinched, tapped into or otherwise mutilated or damaged and that it's supplying full battery voltage to the distributor key on/engine off.
That being said..... what year of car are we talking? If it's an older (~1974 or older) car that originally came with a points distributor then you need to rip out or bypass the old resistor wire to the coil (usually pink with while "resistor" lettering and a braided looking covering) and replace with a decent sized (12ga or better) standard copper wire to a good ignition-on power source. If it's a modern car you might want to trace it back and make sure it's not pinched, tapped into or otherwise mutilated or damaged and that it's supplying full battery voltage to the distributor key on/engine off.
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 762
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, CA
Car: 1987 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 305TPI
Transmission: 700R4
hey guys,
Thanks for replying. The car is now running. I am still having the same problems as before although the car does run a bit better.
I'm pulling my hair out with this one. Changed the fuel pump, distributor setup and still no fix.. If you're curious the car is a '72 Vega with a 327.
Here's a link to my help thread on V8Monza.com.. if you can help, please do but don't feel obligated
http://pub52.ezboard.com/fv8hbodytal...cID=1988.topic
thanks,
Colin
Thanks for replying. The car is now running. I am still having the same problems as before although the car does run a bit better.
I'm pulling my hair out with this one. Changed the fuel pump, distributor setup and still no fix.. If you're curious the car is a '72 Vega with a 327.
Here's a link to my help thread on V8Monza.com.. if you can help, please do but don't feel obligated
http://pub52.ezboard.com/fv8hbodytal...cID=1988.topic
thanks,
Colin
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 908
Likes: 0
From: South NJ
Car: 1988 Mustang GT
Engine: 302
Transmission: T5
hah, my friend had a problem like this, the spark was WEAK on his older nova when he swapped in a new motor (suprise, he put in an hei distributor!). pull out the ballast resistor and you should be fine
#6
Supreme Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, Washington
Car: '87 IROC-Z/'82 RX7
Engine: SBC 355/1.1L Rotary
Transmission: T56/5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 4.33/3.93
Chevys don't have ballast resistors.
They have a resistor wire. The ignition wire that goes to your 12v hook up at the dizzy, is a wire that has built in resistance.
Cut it off at the source, and run some 14 gauge wire to the distributor.
Resistor wires are usually only a foot long or two.
They have a resistor wire. The ignition wire that goes to your 12v hook up at the dizzy, is a wire that has built in resistance.
Cut it off at the source, and run some 14 gauge wire to the distributor.
Resistor wires are usually only a foot long or two.
#7
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,111
Likes: 52
From: Ontario, Canada
Car: 1988 Firebird S/E
Engine: 406Ci Vortec SBC
Transmission: TH-350/3500stall
Axle/Gears: 7.5" Auburn 4.10 Posi-Traction
Also make sure the motor is well grounded to to body.
Run a ground wire from the engine block to the firewall.
The ground made through the engine mounts is not solid
especialy when you rev the motor. This will prevent a seized transmission shifter cable too. (electrolytic action)
Run a ground wire from the engine block to the firewall.
The ground made through the engine mounts is not solid
especialy when you rev the motor. This will prevent a seized transmission shifter cable too. (electrolytic action)
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