Im not sure if this is the best spot for this but here it goes. (First post!) I’ve had my 69’ GS-350 for probably 25 years now. I was a kid when I got it together and it’s been on/off the road ever since as life has a tendency of getting in the way... When I put it back together, I dropped an HEI distributer in and the RAM air never fit properly again. I always figured that I’d go back and deal with it some day. That day has finally come. The problem is the extra height on the distributer to accommodate the coil. I assume that this is something that has been dealt with in the past by many. I have no interest in switching back to points and condenser. Are people using a different type of electronic ignition? Any recommendations?
Cheers, I had a 71 GS 350 that I put hei in. I bought an another lower scoop piece and modified it to clear the hei. I trimmed it and then fiberglassed so it will still be sealed
I used the stock distributor, and a Mallory Point conversion . https://www.summitracing.com/parts/maa-61001m
The spacer is an idea, I just don’t know how much clearance I have with the hood. @Mark Demko, how thick of a spacer did you use? I assume under the carb? As far as the conversion kits, can you get an external coil to match the voltage output of an HEI? I would think the stock coil would still yield a lot lower voltage so a cooler spark like with points?
you're not going to get the stock Buick GS air cleaner to rest properly on the air cleaner hook mounted to the thermostat housing using a GM HEI Coil-in-cap setup. You can either use an points conversion kit or use the have the distributor set up so it it basically a trigger for something like an MSD box. DO a search hear for small cap HEI convervsion
Get a junk yard points distributor (NOT a remanufactured unit) and send it to Dave Ray. https://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/ Looks like Dave is having some health issues. Not sure if he is back yet. You can also use a new MSD or TA Performance distributor. https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/distributors/buick/parts/8552 Yes, it's a 455 distributor, but all that is needed to run it in the 350 is a gear change. Not sure why MSD doesn't offer it but it is worth it to call MSD. Their 350 distributor doesn't offer vacuum advance but has the correct gear. Seems to me MSD could easily market a ready to run 350 distributor. http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_724R http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_724B
I had HEI used a carb to air cleaner spacer made an extension for the front of the air cleaner out of a PVC pipe and painted it black. Just had to trim down the foam seals. 455’s might work.
