General Motors (non-computer) HEI distributors are a dime a dozen in the salvage yards and nearly as cheap. Conversion is easy. As shown in the schematic, the typical points system uses an inline resistor or resistance wire between the ignition switch and coil [+] terminal to avoid burning out the points. On mid-’60s-up vehicles this is typically a 20-gauge white/multisriped resistance wire installed between the coil and firewall bulkhead master connector. A full 12 volts only during “crank” [start] is provided by a bypass wire running between the starter solenoid “R” and coil [+] terminals. This is typically a 20-gauge yellow wire. The separate coil also requires low-tension and high-tension hookups to the distributor. In order to run properly, an HEI requires a full 12 volts at all times. The 20-gauge resistance wire must be replaced by a 12-gauge wire (pink if it is desired to maintain the factory color code0, hooked up to the HEI cap’s “BAT” terminal. If you don’t want to hassle getting into the bulkhead connector, splice the new wire into the existing 12-gauge pink wires on the instrument panel side of the firewall that run to the ignition terminal and/or fuse box. Discard or tape off the yellow bypass wire and low- and high-tension leads. If so equipped, connect the electric tach wire (20-gauge brown) to the “TACH” terminal. The three-wire connector from the HEI distributor body plugs into the 3-wire inner receptacle on the HEI cap marked “C-, Grnd., B+”.

Tags: Automotive, Ignition

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