Hi alll, Looking to replace my stock distributor with a HEI model. Any recomendations would be appeciated. Along with distribtors. Engine is a 300 cid small block nailhead. Thanks in advance.
Well, you have a couple of choices. The 300 is not a nailhead BTW. It takes the same distributor as the 215-340-350. So you could just go with a boneyard 350 HEI. MSD makes a probillet distributor PN # 8548. You would need to run an MSD box like the 6A(L). You could also send your points distributor to Dave Ray. He can convert your points to magnetic pick up while rebuilding/recurving your distributor. Again you would need to run an ignition box. He can also convert your distibutor to stand alone HEI. Take a look at his website at: www.davessmallbodyheis.com The address on the website is incorrect. The new address is 24 Buffalo Lane, Yerington, Nevada 89447. You can E-mail Dave at sparkman451@earthlink.net You will need to get a specifications sheet which you will fill out before sending your distributor. I have one of Daves conversions which I run with an MSD Digital 6 box. I am very happy with Daves work. It's first rate.
GM HEI distributors tend to hit the intake manifold on the early V6 and small block V8. Like already mentioned have your original distributor upgraded or if you don't want to ad an ignition box, the Mallory Unilite distributor is a stand alone distributor. You can do the switch in about 30 minutes or less. Dave
Yup, I agree, I remember having that problem when I put one on my 350 72 Skylark. You have to get the distibutor in just right, because you have a smaller amount of "swing" to set the timing. The bigger cap hits the manifold. That's why using the smaller points distributor is better IMHO.
thank you Thank you guys for the heads up - that's the advantage of listening to what others have to say on the subject. I can avoid some of the pitfalls before I experience them... I think I'll check with Dave to find out what kind of $$$ we're talking about. Thanks again. :TU:
Distributor rebuild It looks like I'm in for about $175 for a drop in rebuild. Think I'll call Dave tomorrow and discuss - would be a great Christmas Present!! Think my wife will go for it?? Come to think of it, she likes to drive the car more than me... :laugh:
I just removed my MSD #8548 Pro billet distributor yesterday. It only has about 1,200 miles of low-rpm use on it. I even have a new HEI-style cap (in a box) to go with it. It performed excellent, but I replaced it with the original dist with a Pertronix, to have a vacuum advance for my street cruising usage. Was planning to sell the #8548, hopefully for half the new price, so let me know if you have an interest in it.
MSD - Hmmmmm Sounds like an interesting idea. But, like you, I drive my car on the street exclusively. Not a track car. Thus, I guess the vacumn advance is a pretty good thing. :beer
