HEI to fit '69 400?

I was wondering if anyone knows the part number to a GM HEI that would fit the '69 400. I'd like to go into a parts house and get a rebuilt one with a warranty. I price Mallory's and Accel's in the auto parts stores and they're triple the cost of the more common Chevy parts (what I'm used to buying). I need to get away from points and would rather go HEI than a DIY Pertronix-type ignitor. This car is my daily driver.

Anyone have any tips?

 

Larry, you da man!

 

Abort the idea of simply changing the driven gear on 350 points style distributors.

The big block distributors use a completely different mechanical advance weight cam than the others do, and although some may have had some luck with doing this 350 into big block dist swap, the 350 cam is dead wrong for them.

If you are going to set up a distributor for a small block, use a small block dist, big block, use one for that series engine.

During this next year, I will be compiling info on just which cams works best for what, etc., and will probably start making them so the 350 dist core into big block engine cam isn't so much of an issue any more.

 

Dave
Can you elaborate on exactly what part you are describing as the "mechanical advance weight cam"? This issue of SBB vs. BBB distributors has come up on the Buick Performance e-mail list, and other than someone quoting this post, no one has ever heard of any difference between the two (other than gears and part numbers, of course.)

 

Other end of the shaft, the curved plate the weights move.

Different plate, different curve, different way the engine runs, and the 350 plate/weight setup is way off for a 400/430/455.

Now, if you can find a set of three parts, you'll be half way there to a good curve for a Buick. Modify the vacuum advance, ort adjustable one and spring the mechanical to the engine, and it'll be almost golden. Move that crap epoxy coil out of the cap, install remote mounted oil filled coil, and the large, coil in cap HEI will be as good as it will ever get.

Center plate numbered 375
Weights numbered 41

Late 70's Chevy 350 Suburbans had this combo, so do the ZZ crate engine series, small and big block flavors.

These parts aren't available new unless you purchase the full monte mainshaft for a ZZ crate engine, $151.90 each (Chevy does think this part is so platinum, don't they). Wrecking yard search and sieze is the easiest way to find these. Liots of dists used 41 weights, 375 plate will be a bit harder, but they are out there.

Have fun storming the wrecking yards!

 

Thanks, Dave. I think I'm getting it here... Correct me if I'm on the wrong track, or missing something.
Ok, so the shape of the little "oval" plate on the top of the shaft varies. As the skinny arms on the advance weights move on this plate, that makes the advance curve.
On the right track so far?
Now, where does a Chevy mainshaft fit in? I thought the shafts were a different length? Is the little oval plate on the top removable?

 

Oh man! Guys!!!

For the price of a Pep Boys Reman's distributor, cap, rotor and coil you can have Dave convert your points distributor to HEI and you'll be a zillion leaps ahead.

Just say NO to GM HEI!:gt:

 

Dave
I bow to your superior distributor knowledge! (Doing my best Ben Stein!! LOL)
Looked at 4 assorted parts distributors this evening, and I see the difference in the plates at the top of the shaft.
In 20 years of playing with Buicks I've never heard this. Not saying no one else has ever been aware of it, just no one seems to ever have shared the knowledge, if they did have it.
Thanks

BTW, Yardley, I DO have one of Dave's distributors

 

You got the hang of it, see, different, and there are over 430 different curve combos from all the different centers/weights used through the years, for all the divisions, cars, trucks, airplanes, sea going liners, etc.

All centers/weights work on all vacuum advance HEI, no matter the rotation, just turn the plate up-side down (number facing down) for an Olds or Pontiac l/h rotation dist, right side up for Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, GMC trucks (Chevy engines, early GMC trucks used Pontiac engines), r/h rotation, etc.

Just wait till you get to doing a points dist with the plate brazed or spot welded to the shaft, not retained on two pins with circlips. Harder to do. And, as I said centers and weights are only available friom GM as assemblies or complete dists, read blown-out expensive. Aftermarket stuff is just plain junk.

Now, I do have this idea for improving the points dists and.....well.....maybe that is really for another time...yup, it is.